Product Category
Industrial Ball Valves
Full-bore and reduced-bore ball valves from 200+ manufacturers. Floating and trunnion-mounted designs in all materials and pressure classes. For oil & gas, chemical, water, power, and general industrial applications worldwide.
What is a Ball Valve?
A ball valve is a quarter-turn valve that uses a rotating spherical ball with a bore (hole) through its centre to start, stop, or throttle flow. When the bore is aligned with the pipe, the valve is fully open; when rotated 90°, the valve is fully closed. Ball valves provide a tight shut-off, low pressure drop when open, and rapid actuation.
Ball Valve Types We Supply
By Bore Configuration
- Full-bore (full-port): The bore diameter equals the pipe bore — zero restriction, suitable for pigs and scrapers.
- Reduced-bore (reduced-port): The bore is one size smaller than the pipe — more compact and lighter, but higher pressure drop.
- V-port: A V-shaped notch in the ball for precise flow characterisation and throttling (Flowserve/Worcester).
By Ball Support Design
- Floating ball: The ball is supported only by the two seats and floats slightly downstream under pressure. Simple, economical, sizes typically up to 4" (DN100).
- Trunnion-mounted ball: The ball is fixed by upper and lower trunnions, reducing seat load. Preferred for larger sizes (4" and above), higher pressures, and critical service.
- Top-entry: The ball can be removed from the top without removing the valve from the pipeline — convenient for maintenance.
- Side-entry (split body): Two or three-piece body for easy inspection and seat replacement.
Special Types
- Rising stem ball valves (RSBV): Orbit (SLB) design — the ball rises as it opens, reducing seat wear.
- Cryogenic ball valves: Extended bonnets for LNG and liquid nitrogen service (Habonim, Böhmer, KTM).
- High-pressure ball valves: For subsea, HP/HT, and instrumentation service.
- Fire-safe ball valves: API 607 / API 6FA tested — secondary metal seats activated in a fire event.
Materials Available
Body and ball materials: carbon steel (A216 WCB, LCB), stainless steel (316, CF8M), duplex stainless (2205, 2507), super duplex, Inconel 625, Hastelloy C276, titanium, bronze, and plastic (PVC, PVDF). Seat materials: PTFE, RPTFE, Nylon, metal-to-metal, Inconel, Stellite.
Pressure Classes & Standards
Available in ASME Class 150 through 4500 and PN 10 through PN 420. End connections: RF/RTJ flanged (ASME B16.5), socket weld, butt weld, threaded (NPT/BSP). Standards: API 6D (pipeline), API 608, ASME B16.34, EN 17292, NACE MR0175.
Ball Valve Brands We Supply
| Brand | Parent Company | Key Products | Industry Focus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fisher (KTM/Virgo) | Emerson | Full-bore, trunnion, cryogenic ball valves | Oil & gas, chemical, LNG |
| Worcester Controls | Flowserve | V-port, fire-safe ball valves | Chemical, food & pharma |
| KITZ Corporation | Independent (Japan) | Full range, all materials | General industrial |
| Apollo Valves | Aalberts | Bronze, stainless, carbon steel | Water, HVAC, industrial |
| Habonim | Independent (Israel) | Cryogenic, sanitary ball valves | LNG, pharma, food |
| Orbit (SLB) | SLB | Rising stem, gas transmission | Natural gas, LNG |
| Grove (SLB) | SLB | Trunnion, pipeline, large bore | Gas transmission |
| Bray International | Independent (USA) | Series 30/31, actuated packages | Chemical, HVAC, mining |
| Böhmer | Independent (Germany) | Cryogenic, high-pressure | LNG, petrochemical |
| Milwaukee Valve | Illinois Tool Works | Bronze, iron, stainless range | Water, HVAC |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a floating and trunnion-mounted ball valve?
In a floating ball valve, the ball is held only by the two seats and moves slightly downstream under line pressure to create a seal. In a trunnion-mounted valve, the ball is held in place by upper and lower shaft trunnions. Trunnion valves are preferred for larger diameters (typically 4" DN100 and above) and higher pressures, as the trunnion support reduces seat load and actuator torque. For critical and pipeline applications, trunnion mounting is generally specified.
Can PartnerValves supply fire-safe ball valves?
Yes. We supply fire-safe ball valves tested and certified to API 607 and API 6FA. These valves have secondary metal-to-metal seats that activate in a fire event, preventing leakage even if the primary PTFE seats are destroyed. Fire-safe ball valves are required in oil & gas refineries, chemical plants, and other ATEX/hazardous area applications.
What certifications are available with your ball valves?
We can provide EN 10204 3.1 and 3.2 material certificates, hydrostatic and pneumatic test certificates, fire test certificates (API 607), fugitive emission test reports (ISO 15848), NACE MR0175 documentation, and CE marking (PED 2014/68/EU) as required by your specification. Copies of third-party inspection reports can also be provided on request.