Reliable shut-off valves for safely opening, closing and diverting liquid and gas flow in hydraulic, pneumatic and industrial systems.
A ball valve is used to open or shut off a pipeline quickly and reliably. Turning the handle through a quarter turn rotates a drilled ball inside the valve body. When the bore is aligned with the pipeline, the medium can flow through. Rotating the ball by 90 degrees closes the passage.
This simple design makes ball valves compact, easy to operate and suitable for demanding applications. They are widely used in hydraulics, pneumatics, machinery, agriculture, transport, shipbuilding and general industry. Leeuwtechniek supplies ball valves for a wide range of pressures, connections, materials and applications.
A ball valve moves from fully open to fully closed with a quarter turn. Its position is easy to identify, allowing a pipeline to be isolated quickly.
Full-bore versions offer little resistance to flow. This helps minimise pressure loss and supports efficient system operation.
Ball valves are suitable for systems in which a medium must either flow freely or be completely shut off. Depending on their design, they can be used with hydraulic oil, water, compressed air, lubricants and other liquids or gases.
Suitability for a specific application is always determined by the maximum working pressure, temperature, medium, sealing material and connection type.
Suitable for general industrial applications, water, compressed air and systems operating at lower pressures.
Designed for hydraulic systems subject to high system pressures and heavy mechanical loads.
Suitable for compressed-air systems and installations in which the valve is pneumatically actuated.
Used to open or close a single pipeline. This is the most common design for standard shut-off functions.
Used to divert or distribute a medium between multiple pipelines, depending on the internal bore configuration.
Allow a pressure gauge to be isolated from the system in a controlled manner for protection, replacement or maintenance.
Suitable where flow must be regulated more precisely than is possible with a standard ball valve.
An alternative shut-off valve for specific pipeline and process applications.
Different actuation methods, connection combinations and compact designs are available to suit the application.
The body material affects strength, corrosion resistance, weight and compatibility with the process medium.
Steel is widely used for hydraulic ball valves because of its high mechanical strength and suitability for demanding applications.
Stainless steel is suitable for damp, corrosive or chemically demanding environments. Always verify the compatibility of the complete valve with the medium.
Brass is commonly used with water, compressed air and general low-pressure systems.
The connection must match the pipe, hose, adaptor or component to which the ball valve is fitted. Threads that look similar are not necessarily interchangeable.
In addition to the thread type, check the size, pitch, sealing method and installation direction. Some connections seal on the thread, while others use a flat face seal, cone or sealing ring.
In a full-bore ball valve, the opening through the ball is approximately equal to the internal diameter of the connected pipeline. This keeps flow resistance low. A reduced-bore valve has a smaller opening. This can enable a more compact design, but generally causes a greater pressure drop.
| Design | Characteristic | Suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Full bore | Large unobstructed opening and low pressure drop | Systems where unrestricted flow is important |
| Reduced bore | Smaller opening and more compact design | Applications where installation space or component size is a priority |
Not only the valve body, but also the seats and seals must be suitable for the medium and operating temperature. Common sealing materials differ in their resistance to oil, water, air, temperature and chemicals.
Always use the technical product information to verify whether the ball valve is suitable for the relevant medium. A material that is compatible with hydraulic oil is not necessarily suitable for aggressive chemicals, steam or high temperatures.
Clean pipelines and connections before installation to prevent dirt, swarf and sealing-material residue from entering the valve. Apply tools only to the designated wrench flats and avoid transferring installation forces through the valve body.
Use only a sealing method that is suitable for the thread type and application. Excess sealing material can enter the pipeline or damage the connection. Always test the assembled system for leaks before it is put fully into operation.
Ball valves generally require little maintenance, but periodic inspection remains important. Where the system can be operated safely, cycle a valve periodically if it normally remains in the same position for long periods. This can help prevent contamination or deposits from causing the mechanism to seize.
A two-way ball valve opens or closes a single pipeline. A three-way ball valve can divert or distribute flow between multiple connections, depending on its internal bore configuration.
A standard ball valve is primarily designed to be fully open or fully closed. Needle valves or dedicated flow-control valves are generally more suitable for precise or continuous regulation.
Use a high-pressure version when the maximum system pressure exceeds the permitted range of a low-pressure valve. Also account for pressure surges, temperature and the required safety margin.
Select the same thread type, size and sealing method as the connected pipeline or adaptor. Measure or verify the existing connection carefully.
Not necessarily. Stainless steel offers high corrosion resistance, but the complete valve must still be suitable for the medium, pressure and temperature.
On many manually operated valves, the handle is parallel to the pipeline when the valve is open. When the handle is perpendicular to the pipeline, the valve is generally closed.
Leeuwtechniek supplies ball valves and related hydraulic components for a wide range of industrial and mobile applications. Combine the valve with suitable adaptors, cutting-ring fittings, hydraulic tubes, hoses, quick-release couplings and measuring components.
Always consult the product specifications before making a final selection. If you are unsure about working pressure, connection type, material or sealing, Leeuwtechniek can help you select a suitable version for your system.
Reliable valves for hydraulic and industrial systems.
Explore our range of low- and high-pressure ball valves, multi-way ball valves, needle valves and flow-control components for safely isolating, directing and regulating fluid flow.