What Are The Most Durable Check Valves

1.The Right Material for the Job

A valve's material is its first line of defense against wear and tear. Choosing the right one is critical for a long life, especially in tough environments.

• Stainless Steel: This is a fantastic all-around choice for durability. It's strong and fights rust well, making it great for water, steam, and many general chemical uses. 

• Carbon Steel: This material is known for its pure strength and toughness. It's best for high-pressure and high-temperature jobs where rust isn't the main problem, like in oil and gas systems.

• Exotic Alloys: For the most extreme jobs, you need special metals. They handle seriously corrosive chemicals and extreme heat that would destroy other metals.

• Plastics (PVC, CPVC): While not as strong as metal, plastics are champions against corrosion. They are highly durable and affordable for handling many acids and chemicals at lower pressures.

• Rubber Linings: When you're pumping fluids with sand or grit (called slurries), a hard metal valve gets eaten away. A rubber-lined valve is far more durable because the soft surface absorbs the impact of the particles.

  
  

2.A Design Built to Last

How a valve works is just as important as what it's made of. The design affects how it wears over time.

• Non-Slam Check Valves: Many consider these the most durable design for demanding systems. They use a spring to close the valve quickly but gently,before the flow reverses. This action prevents a violent pipe shock called "water hammer," which protects the valve and the entire piping system.

• Swing Check Valves: These are very common and simple. A flap swings open to let flow through and swings closed to stop it. They are durable in smooth, steady flow but can wear out quickly if the flow is turbulent or pulsating, causing the flap to flutter.

• Ball Check Valves: This is a simple and tough design. A ball moves out of the way for forward flow and gets pushed back into its seat to block reverse flow. This design is very durable in dirty or thick liquids, like wastewater, because it's less likely to get clogged.