What is a ball valve and how does it work?

A ball valve is a quarter-turn valve that uses a hollow, perforated, pivoting ball (called a floating ball or trunnion ball) to control flow through it. When the valve handle is turned 90 degrees, the ball rotates so its bore aligns with the pipe (open) or sits perpendicular to the flow (closed). Ball valves provide bubble-tight shut-off with minimal pressure drop when fully open. They are the most widely used industrial valve for on/off isolation service.

What is the difference between floating ball valve and trunnion ball valve?

In a floating ball valve, the ball is held in place only by the two seat rings and is free to float. Line pressure pushes the ball against the downstream seat for sealing. Floating ball valves are used for sizes up to 8 inch and pressures up to Class 600. In a trunnion ball valve, the ball is anchored at top and bottom by trunnion bearings, so it cannot move. The seats are spring-loaded and press against the ball. Trunnion ball valves are used for larger sizes (6 inch to 48 inch) and higher pressures (Class 150 to 2500) because they require less operating torque.

What is the difference between ball valve and gate valve?

Ball valve: Quarter-turn (90 degree) operation, fast open/close, bubble-tight shut-off, compact design, suitable for on/off and some throttling. Gate valve: Multi-turn (linear) operation, slower open/close, used only for full open/full close isolation, lower pressure drop when fully open, not suitable for throttling. Use ball valves when you need quick operation and tight shut-off. Use gate valves when you need minimal pressure drop in fully open position and for large diameter pipelines.

What materials are ball valves made of?

Common ball valve body materials: Carbon Steel (ASTM A216 WCB) for general service, Stainless Steel SS316 (ASTM A351 CF8M) for corrosive media, Stainless Steel SS304 (ASTM A351 CF8) for food and chemical, Duplex 2205 (F51) for chloride environments, Super Duplex 2507 (F53) for seawater, Alloy Steel (WC6, WC9) for high temperature, and exotic alloys (Monel, Hastelloy, Inconel, Titanium) for severe service. Ball and seat materials include PTFE, RPTFE, Nylon, Metal-to-Metal, and Stellite overlay.

What are the types of ball valves?

Main types of ball valves: (1) Floating Ball Valve – ball floats between seats, for smaller sizes. (2) Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve – ball anchored by trunnion, for large sizes and high pressures. (3) 3-Piece Ball Valve – body splits into 3 parts for easy maintenance. (4) Top Entry Ball Valve – maintained from top without removing from pipeline. (5) Side Entry Ball Valve – standard two-piece or three-piece construction. (6) Full Bore Ball Valve – bore equals pipe ID, minimal pressure drop. (7) Reduced Bore Ball Valve – bore is one size smaller, more compact. (8) V-Port Ball Valve – V-shaped ball for throttling/flow control.

What is API 6D ball valve?

API 6D is the American Petroleum Institute standard for pipeline and piping valves. API 6D ball valves are designed for pipeline transportation systems for petroleum and natural gas industries. Key requirements include: design validation testing, shell test at 1.5x rated pressure, seat test at 1.1x rated pressure, fire-safe design per API 607, anti-static device, and complete material traceability. API 6D ball valves are available in sizes 2 inch to 48 inch, Class 150 to 2500.

What size ball valves are available?

Supreme Valves supplies ball valves from 1/2 inch (DN15) to 48 inch (DN1200). Small sizes (1/2 to 2 inch) are typically screwed or socket weld end. Medium sizes (2 to 8 inch) are flanged floating ball type. Large sizes (8 to 48 inch) are flanged trunnion mounted type. Pressure classes available: 150, 300, 600, 800, 1500, and 2500. End connections: Flanged (ASME B16.5), Threaded (BSP/NPT), Socket Weld, Butt Weld.

How to select the right ball valve for my application?

Ball valve selection criteria: (1) Media – determine chemical compatibility with body and seat materials. (2) Temperature – PTFE seats work up to 200°C, metal seats for higher. (3) Pressure – select appropriate ANSI class (150 to 2500). (4) Size – match pipe diameter, choose full bore or reduced bore. (5) Operation – manual for infrequent use, actuated for remote/frequent operation. (6) End connection – flanged for easy maintenance, welded for permanent installation. (7) Standards – API 6D for pipeline, ASME B16.34 for general, BS 5351 for industrial. Contact Supreme Valves at +91 97732 78770 for expert valve selection assistance.

Quarter-Turn Valves

Ball Valves – Floating, Trunnion & 3-Piece

Name: Ball Valve
Brand: Supreme Valves
SKU: SV-BALLVALVE
Price: 500 INR
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.8 (127 reviews)

Industrial ball valves from Supreme Valves India. API 6D, ASME B16.34, BS 5351 certified. Floating ball, trunnion mounted, and 3-piece designs. Carbon steel, stainless steel, duplex, super duplex. Sizes 1/2" to 48". Class 150 to 2500. Quarter-turn operation for tight shut-off and minimal pressure drop.

Key Applications

Oil & GasWaterChemical

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Quick Summary – What is a Ball Valve?

Ball valve = quarter-turn valve with a spherical ball that has a bore (hole) through it. Turn handle 90° → ball rotates → bore aligns with pipe (open) or blocks flow (closed). Provides bubble-tight shut-off with minimal pressure drop. Most popular industrial valve for on/off isolation. Types: floating ball, trunnion mounted, 3-piece, V-port. Materials: carbon steel (WCB), stainless steel (SS316, SS304), duplex, super duplex. Standards: API 6D, ASME B16.34, BS 5351. Sizes: 1/2" to 48". Pressure: Class 150 to 2500.

How Does a Ball Valve Work?

Handle Position

The lever handle or actuator is connected to the ball's stem. Turning the handle rotates the ball inside the body.

Open Position

Handle parallel to pipe = ball bore aligned with flow path. Full flow passes through with minimal pressure drop.

Closed Position

Handle perpendicular to pipe = ball rotated 90°. Solid side of ball blocks flow. PTFE seats provide bubble-tight seal.

Sealing

Soft seats (PTFE) or metal seats press against the ball surface. Line pressure assists sealing in floating ball design.

Ball Valve Types Comparison

Type	Size Range	Pressure	Best For
Floating Ball	1/2" – 8"	Class 150–600	General isolation, compact installations
Trunnion Mounted	6" – 48"	Class 150–2500	Large pipelines, high pressure, low torque
3-Piece	1/2" – 4"	Class 150–800	Easy in-line maintenance, process lines
Top Entry	2" – 36"	Class 150–1500	Underground/buried pipelines, no removal needed
V-Port	1" – 12"	Class 150–600	Flow control, throttling applications

Technical Specifications

Product Type	Ball Valve
Category	Quarter-Turn Valves
Size Range	1/2" to 48" (DN15 to DN1200)
Pressure Class	150# to 2500# (PN10 to PN420)
End Connections	Flanged, Threaded, Socket Weld, Butt Weld
Operation	Manual, Gear Operated, Electric Actuated, Pneumatic Actuated
Standards	API 6D, API 608, ASME B16.34, ASME B16.5, BS 5351, ISO 17292

Material Options

Carbon Steel Ball Valves

ASTM A216 WCB, A105, A350 LF2, Forged Carbon Steel

Stainless Steel Ball Valves

ASTM A351 CF8M (SS316), CF8 (SS304), SS316L, SS304L, SS321

Alloy Steel

ASTM A217 WC6, WC9, C5, C12

Duplex & Super Duplex Ball Valves

F51 (Duplex 2205), F53 (Super Duplex 2507), F55, UNS S31803, S32750

Exotic Alloys

Monel, Hastelloy, Inconel, Titanium

Bronze & Brass

Gunmetal, Aluminum Bronze, Naval Brass

Features & Benefits

High Performance

Designed for reliable operation under demanding conditions with minimal maintenance requirements.

IBR Certified & Quality Assured

Complete material traceability, mill test certificates, and compliance with international standards. View IBR Certification →

Wide Application Range

Suitable for Oil & Gas, Water, Chemical and many other industrial applications.

Expert Support

Technical assistance for valve selection, sizing, and application engineering from our experienced team.

Export Ball Valves to Middle East

We export API 6D floating and trunnion ball valves to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait with complete documentation and logistics support.

Learn About Our Export Services

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Test Type	Pressure	Standard
Hydrostatic Body Test	425 PSI (Class 150)	API 598
Seat Test	300 PSI (Class 150)	API 598
Air Test	80 PSI	API 598

Part Name	Material Specification
Body	ASTM A351 Gr. CF8/CF8M/CF3/CF3M, ASTM A216 WCB, Cast Iron
Ball/Disc	AISI 304/316/304L/316L Stainless Steel
Stem	AISI 304/316/304L/316L, AISI 410
Seat/Seal	PTFE, Reinforced PTFE, Graphite
Gaskets	Spiral Wound Metallic, PTFE, Graphite
Bolting	ASTM A193 Gr. B7/B8, Carbon Steel

Ball Valves – Floating, Trunnion & 3-Piece

Key Applications

Quick Summary – What is a Ball Valve?

How Does a Ball Valve Work?

Handle Position

Open Position

Closed Position

Sealing

Ball Valve Types Comparison

Technical Specifications

Material Options

Carbon Steel Ball Valves

Stainless Steel Ball Valves

Alloy Steel

Duplex & Super Duplex Ball Valves

Exotic Alloys

Bronze & Brass

Features & Benefits

High Performance

IBR Certified & Quality Assured

Wide Application Range

Expert Support

Export Ball Valves to Middle East

Request a Quote

Related Products

Technical Specifications

Design & Exporting

Testing & Inspection

Pressure Rating

Temperature Rating

Test Pressure Requirements

Materials of Construction

Size Range & End Connections

Technical Notes

Standards Compliance