Valve body
The valve body is the outer, load-bearing part of a valve and forms the central component that houses all internal components such as the closing body, the spindle, and the seals. It serves as protection and ensures that the medium is guided safely through the valve while withstanding mechanical, thermal, and chemical stresses.
Valve body design
The valve body is usually designed to safely accommodate the operating pressure and temperature in the system. Depending on the valve type, it has various inlet and outlet connections that are connected to pipes or other components of a process. The most important design types include:
- Single-seat valve body: Simple design with one inlet and one outlet for less complex control tasks.
- Multi-seat valve body: This has several seats that can direct the flow in different directions.
Valve body materials
The choice of material for the valve body depends on the operating conditions, such as pressure, temperature, type of medium, and environmental conditions. Typical materials are:
- Steel or stainless steel: These metals offer high strength and corrosion resistance and are suitable for applications with high pressures and temperatures.
- Cast iron: Used in less demanding applications where pressure and temperature are lower.
- Plastics: Used for special chemically aggressive media or in water treatment where metallic materials are not resistant enough.
Functions and requirements
The valve body must ensure a high level of tightness to enable the valve to operate safely. It must also be resistant to the medium to prevent corrosion and mechanical wear. Other requirements include:
- Pressure resistance: The body must be able to withstand high system pressures.
- Temperature resistance: In applications with extreme temperatures, the housing must resist thermal expansion without losing its structural integrity.
- Chemical resistance: When used with aggressive media, the material of the housing must not corrode or decompose.