Sep.30.2025
Struggling to find a trusted valve supplier for your industrial projects? The search can be frustrating and risky. Fleyenda Flow combines 20 years of industry experience with proven reliability.
Fleyenda Flow is a leading industrial butterfly valve manufacturer in China, specializing in high-performance valves for demanding applications. With a focus on quality, customized solutions, and expert support, we partner with clients globally to ensure their systems operate safely and efficiently. We are your reliable choice.
Over my 15 years in the industrial field, I've seen countless projects succeed or fail based on component selection. Finding the right partner is not just about price; it is about trust and expertise. This is why I am so proud of what we do at Fleyenda. We are not just suppliers; we are partners in your success. Let us explore butterfly valves together, so you can make the best choice for your next project.
Understanding the Materials and Applications
The liner or seat is the most critical part of a butterfly valve. It creates the seal. The material used determines what the valve can handle.
Rubber-Lined: These are the most common type. They use resilient elastomers like EPDM or NBR. They are excellent for general-purpose applications like water, wastewater, and air. They provide a tight seal but have temperature and chemical limitations.
Plastic-Lined (PTFE/PFA): When you face corrosive media, plastic-lined valves are the answer. Materials like PTFE offer amazing chemical resistance. Fleyenda recommend these to clients in chemical processing or power generation who handle harsh acids or bases.
Metal-Seated: For high-temperature or high-pressure applications, you need a metal-seated valve. These are often called triple-offset butterfly valves. They are built for tough jobs, like steam or abrasive media in steel mills or refineries.
Here is a simple table to help:
|
Valve Type |
Primary Use |
Max Temperature (Approx.) |
Key Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rubber-Lined |
Water, Air, HVAC |
~120°C (250°F) |
Cost-effective, good seal |
|
Plastic-Lined |
Corrosive Chemicals |
~200°C (392°F) |
Excellent chemical resistance |
|
Metal-Seated |
High Temp, High Pressure |
> 400°C (752°F) |
Durable, handles severe service |
Conclusion
Understanding butterfly valve types, their pros, cons, and best applications is crucial. Fleyenda is here to help you select the perfect, reliable valve for your project's specific needs.
2. When is a butterfly valve a better choice than a ball valve?
Engineers often struggle to decide between a butterfly valve and a ball valve. The wrong choice can impact efficiency and cost. Knowing where each type excels will simplify your decision.
Choose a butterfly valve over a ball valve for large pipelines where cost and weight are major factors. They are also superior for quick shut-off needs, certain corrosive or particle-laden media, low-pressure gas applications, and sanitary systems due to their simple design.
I worked with an EPC company on a huge power generation project. They needed dozens of large-diameter valves. The cost and weight savings from using butterfly valves instead of ball valves were enormous. It made the project feasible. Yet, for a different client’s high-pressure gas injection system, a ball valve was the only safe choice. The application always dictates the best valve. This is where experience matters. Let's explore the key scenarios where a butterfly valve is the clear winner.
Making the Right Decision
The choice between these two quarter-turn valves often comes down to specific application details. Here are the situations where I almost always recommend a butterfly valve.
Large Diameter Pipes: For pipes larger than 2 inches, butterfly valves become significantly cheaper and lighter than ball valves. For a 12-inch pipe, a butterfly valve can be a fraction of the weight and cost of a ball valve.
Quick Shut-Off is Critical: Their simple quarter-turn action makes them ideal for on/off services where speed is important, especially in large-scale water or air systems.
Handling Specific Media:
Corrosive or Slurry Media: A lined butterfly valve often provides a more cost-effective solution for handling corrosive fluids or slurries than an expensive, alloy-body ball valve.
Sanitary Applications: The simple design with fewer crevices makes certain butterfly valves easier to clean, making them suitable for food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.
Low-Pressure or Vacuum Systems: Butterfly valves seal very well in low-pressure and vacuum services, making them a reliable and economical choice for these applications.
Here is a comparison table to summarize the key differences:
|
Feature |
Butterfly Valve |
Ball Valve |
|---|---|---|
|
Cost (Large Size) |
Lower |
Higher |
|
Weight & Size |
Lighter, more compact |
Heavier, bulkier |
|
Shut-Off Seal |
Good (Excellent in some designs) |
Excellent (Bubble-tight) |
|
Throttling |
Fair to Good |
Poor to Fair (Specialty V-port is better) |
|
Pressure Drop |
Some drop exists |
Very low drop (full port design) |
|
Best For |
Large pipes, low cost, quick shut-off |
High pressure, zero leakage, pipelines that get pigged |
