Manufacturers fabricate industrial valves from many materials. Valves are made of metals and treatments, like brass, stainless steel, galvanized, iron, and aluminum. They are also made from plastics such as PVC, PTFE, and PE. Each valve composition has advantages and disadvantages over valves fabricated from other materials, based on the parameters of specific applications.

Brass valves are particularly common since the metal has many desirable qualities, like corrosion resistance. Here are some points to consider while considering brass for your valve composition:

1. Compare prices of comparable valves fabricated in various materials. For many applications, brass valves are not the only workable choice; and brass will often, but not always, be the cheapest choice.

2. Check the compatibility of brass with the media you intend to convey. You may wish to purchase a handy compatibility tool for this purpose.

3. When replacing parts, consider the compatibility of brass with the existing material. For instance, brass contains some copper, which corrodes when it comes in contact with ferrous metals.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Shop around to find a low brass valve price before you buy brass valves

There is a wide range in valve quality. Often times, it's best to shop from a dedicated valve source or to even go directly to a brass valves manufacturer. However, if you know the brands you trust and you know exactly what you are looking for, why not take a look at wholesale brass valve sources to save some money?

I recommend: Manufacturers produce brass valves that will endure more turns than others and still maintain proper shut off. At the very least, you'll need to know the material compatibility of the brass valves, which you can quickly and easily check at Cole-Parmer. However, if you're confident you know what you want, check out wholesale supply websites like MSC Indusrial Supply or DirectMaterial.com.

Locate a brass ball valve

Some valve mechanisms are more readily available in brass than others. Brass ball valves are common. Ball valves are one type of quarter turn valve. A ball valve consists of a handle outside the valve that attaches to a ball inside, with a port (hole) through it. When the handle is perpendicular to the two ends of the valve, so is the port. This is the closed position. Turning the handle moves the ball so the port is in line with the two open ends of the valve, allowing flow. Various positions in between regulate flow.

I recommend: Grainger is a good standby and carries a wide range to select from. Each entry from this company provides you with all the vital information you need to make a good choice. SMC is another good choice if you want to see a wide selection. Also, take a look at the Work.com guide on ball valves.

Find a brass gate valve for your application

Brass gate valves are common. Gate valves are also known as slide valves, and certain types are knife valves. A gate valve consists of a flat closure piece that slides into place. The inside diameter of the valve body is often very close or identical to attached pipes, so a fully open slide gate valve causes only a negligible pressure drop. Gate valves are very effective shut-off valves.

I recommend: Matco-Norca is a great source for brass gate valves. For larger industrial gate valves, see Tyco Flow Control, which carries much heavier-duty valves. Also, take a look at the Work.com guide on gate valves.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Especially if you intend to turn the actuators on your valves frequently, be more diligent when buying small brass valves from new manufacturers and sources. The brass valves supplier you're looking at could be the best, but it's easy to produce cut rate brass valves that won't stand the test of time.