As a vital branch of valve technology, ball valves find extensive application across a wide spectrum of industries. Whether they are small-bore brass ball valves or large-bore flanged ball valves, they play a pivotal role in their respective contexts.
Ball valves can be classified in numerous ways; here, we primarily introduce four common classification methods. First, based on the structural type of the ball itself, they can be categorized into floating ball valves and trunnion-mounted (fixed) ball valves. Based on this classification, the resulting products include flanged floating ball valves and two-piece trunnion-mounted ball valves, among others.
Second, based on the flow configuration, ball valves can be classified into straight-through, three-way, four-way, and five-way types-examples of which include straight-through one-piece ball valves and three-way flanged ball valves.
Additionally, they can be classified according to the valve body assembly structure, including one-piece, two-piece, three-piece, and top-entry designs; examples here include two-piece fluorine-lined ball valves and top-entry ball valves. Finally, based on the diameter of the valve body's flow channel, they can be divided into full-bore (full-port) and reduced-bore (reduced-port) types-such as full-bore flanged ball valves and reduced-bore ball valves.
The Ultimate Ball Valve Guide: Every Type, Standard & Size Chart in One Place
Ball Valve Classification Table
| Category | Common Type | Features & Applications |
| Ball Support | Floating Ball | Simple design; the ball is pressed against the seat by line pressure. Ideal for small-to-medium bores and low pressure. |
| Trunnion Mounted | The ball is supported by bearings and does not move with pressure. Essential for large bores and high pressure (API 6D). | |
| Body Assembly | Side Entry | Available in 2-piece or 3-piece designs; easy to manufacture and most widely used. |
| Top Entry | Allows In-line maintenance; internal parts can be replaced without removing the valve from the pipeline. | |
| All-welded | No bolted body joints; offers maximum leak prevention. Commonly used in buried gas pipelines. | |
| Body Construction | 1-piece | Reduced bore design; compact and the most cost-effective. |
| 2-piece | Full bore design; fewer connection points with reliable sealing. | |
| 3-piece | The center section can be swung out for frequent maintenance and cleaning. | |
| Bore Type | Full Bore (FB) | Bore matches pipe ID; minimal flow resistance and is Piggable. |
| Reduced Bore (RB) | Bore is smaller than pipe ID; compact, lower torque, and lower cost. | |
| Special Functions | V-Port Ball Valve | Features a V-shaped notch for precise flow modulation/control. |
| Cryogenic | Equipped with an extended bonnet for ultra-low temperature service (e.g., LNG at -196°C). | |
| Metal Seated | Ball and seats are hard-faced (e.g., Stellite) for high temperatures and abrasive media. |
Ball Valve Face-to-Face Dimensions (ASME B16.10)
Floating Ball Valves (Class 150 - 600) - Units: mm
| NPS (Inch) | DN (mm) | Class 150 (LB) | Class 300 (LB) | Class 600 (LB) |
| 1/2" | 15 | 108 | 140 | 165 |
| 3/4" | 20 | 117 | 152 | 190 |
| 1" | 25 | 127 | 165 | 216 |
| 1-1/2" | 40 | 165 | 190 | 241 |
| 2" | 50 | 178 | 216 | 292 |
| 3" | 80 | 203 | 283 | 356 |
| 4" | 100 | 229 | 305 | 432 |
| 6" | 150 | 394 | 403 | 559 |
| 8" | 200 | 457 | 502 | 660 |
Trunnion Mounted Ball Valves (Class 150 - 900) - Units: mm
| NPS (Inch) | DN (mm) | Class 150 (LB) | Class 300 (LB) | Class 600 (LB) | Class 900 (LB) |
| 2" | 50 | 178 | 216 | 292 | 368 |
| 4" | 100 | 229 | 305 | 432 | 457 |
| 6" | 150 | 394 | 403 | 559 | 610 |
| 8" | 200 | 457 | 502 | 660 | 737 |
| 10" | 250 | 533 | 568 | 787 | 838 |
| 12" | 300 | 610 | 648 | 838 | 965 |
| 16" | 400 | 762 | 838 | 991 | 1130 |
| 20" | 500 | 914 | 991 | 1194 | 1327 |
| 24" | 600 | 1067 | 1143 | 1397 | 1543 |
Typical Ball Valve Trim Materials (Material Chart)
| Component | Carbon Steel Service | Stainless Steel Service | Low Temperature Service |
| Body | A105 / WCB | F316 / CF8M | LF2 / LCC |
| Ball | A105 + ENP | F316 / F51 (Duplex) | F316 / F51 |
| Stem | 4140 + ENP / 13Cr | 17-4PH / SS316 | XM-19 / SS316 |
| Seat | PTFE / Devlon / Nylon | RPTFE / PEEK | Kel-F (PCTFE) / PEEK |
| Seals | Viton / NBR | Viton / PTFE | HNBR / PTFE |
[Download PDF] Ball Valve Dimension Table & Specification Sheet
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FAQ
What is the standard API for ball valves
API ball valves are industrial valves that comply with the American Petroleum Institute (API) standards, suitable for media including water, steam, petroleum, nitric acid, and acetic acid, etc. The applicable temperature is generally not higher than 200 ℃. This product is manufactured in accordance with standards such as API 608 and API 6D, and meets fire testing standards such as API 607 and API 6FA. It is mainly used in fields such as petroleum, natural gas, chemical, and power.
What is Api 608 ball valve specifications
API 608 ball valves are utilized in the petroleum, petrochemical, and general industrial sectors, primarily within ASME B31.3 process piping systems. Covering a nominal pipe size (NPS) range of 1/4 to 24 inches-though predominantly featuring smaller diameters-these valves are available in pressure classes 150, 300, 600, and 800. They typically feature a floating ball design with downstream sealing.