PVDF valves are plumbing control, pressure regulation, or delivery valves manufactured from Kynar® PVDF. Types of PVDF valves include PVDF ball valves, PVDF diaphragm valves, PVDF flow control valves, and PVDF injection valves.
What is PVDF?
PVDF is one of the industry’s leading thermoplastic materials. It has excellent high-temperature exposure, chemical durability, environmental damage resistance, and mechanical strength.
PVDF (Polyvinylidene Fluoride) homopolymer is a rigid, abrasion-resistant fluorocarbon material with a design stress of 1,360 psi at 73°F and a maximum service temperature of 280°F. It has versatile chemical resistance to salts, strong acids, dilute bases, and many organic solvents, such as aromatics (i.e., benzene ring structure), aliphatics (i.e., paraffin, olefin, and acetylene hydrocarbons), and chlorinated solvents. However, some strong bases, organic chemicals such as polar solvents (e.g., ketones), and esters can damage PVDF.
PVDF, absent of any color pigment, is transparent to ultraviolet light. So while PVDF is one of the few plastic materials that is not degraded by UV radiation, exposure of the fluid medium inside a piping system to direct sunlight can adversely affect its stability. Therefore, all general chemical service PVDF piping components from NIBCO/Chemtrol contain an FDA-approved red pigment to mask the penetration of UV rays.
Natural Kynar PVDF Type I (polymerized in emulsion) homopolymer is free of metallic ions and foreign organic compounds. And since the resin does not require processing or other external additives to aid manufacturing or long-term stability, the hard-polish surface of components will remain intact, and piping systems will not release particulate into the fluid medium. Additionally, no surface micropores will develop and encourage biological growth.
PVDF Valve Application
PVDF is ideally suited for handling wet or dry chlorine, bromine, and other halogens. Natural Kynar systems are intended for ultra-high pure water and chemical services, such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and processed foods and beverages.
Since valves manufactured from PVDF deliver a thermal operation range up to 280°F, provide extensive chemical resistance, are naturally unaffected by sunlight UV exposure and damage, as well as the growth and support of biofilms, they are an excellent choice for ultra-pure applications.
PVDF Valve Types
PVDF Ball Valves
NIBCO Chemtrol PVDF Tru-Bloc True Union Ball Valves
Chemtrol’s True Union/Tru-Bloc feature has become the industry standard for PVDF ball valves. The design allows the valve cartridge, or body containing all of the operational components, to be easily lifted from the piping system for servicing/replacement when the union nuts are backed off. In addition, since the laying length of the body and the heavy-duty modified-acme threads in the union connections to the body have not changed in the 40-year history of the valve, valve replacement can be achieved with a new body cartridge and no change in piping length.
The distinctive orange handle on a Chemtrol PVDF valve indicates “open/close” and the direction of flow at a distance. At the same time, molded-in arrows on top of the handle dictate rotational direction to personnel for easy operation within 90° stops. For applications requiring handle removal, the D-ring stem flats indicate “open/close,” and a molded-in arrow on top of the stem indicates flow direction.
Manufactured in PVC and CPVC through 2", the current NIBCO Chemtrol PVDF ball valve model has strengthened seat-carrier internal threads and external union nut threads to increase the pressure rating of 250 psi at 73°F as well as improved pressure ratings at higher temperatures. It also features a sealing envelope independent of external forces with an energized O-ring under the PTFE seat that provides automatic adjustment to compensate for seat wear and Tru-Bloc.
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PVDF Check Valves
NIBCO Chemtrol PVDF True Union Ball Check Valves
NIBCO Chemtrol PVDF check valves are very similar to the ball valves. Chemtrol ball check valves stop the media flow in one direction while allowing flow in the opposite direction, with minimum turbulence and chatter while maintaining pump prime. The valve’s injection-molded polypropylene construction with FKM O-ring is ideal for use with hot corrosive liquids, chemical processing, industrial plating, laboratory and industrial waste drainage systems, and waste treatment systems.
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PVDF Injection Valves
PVDF injection valves are needle-like components for plumbing equipment systems used to safely and precisely administer application media and fluids. They are commonly used for injecting, dosing, transferring, mixing, and processing in industrial or water treatment applications where concentrated chemical reagents are used. They promote a quick, thorough mixture of application chemicals while limiting or preventing corrosion of sensitive plumbing components such as tank walls, pipes, or chambers.
PVDF Diaphragm Valves
PVDF diaphragm valves are suitable for the transmission, flow regulating, and interception of corrosion medium. They have excellent corrosion resistance and are an appropriate, lightweight replacement for stainless steel valves in some applications. As a result, they are often used in medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, research, and other high-purity liquid transportation applications. These PDVF valves have a diaphragm that moves up and down within the body of the valve, causing opening and closing against a hard seat.
PVDF Butterfly Valves
PDVF butterfly valves are quarter-turn valves, named for the wing-like action of the flow-controlling disc inside the valve, with equal percentage type flow characteristics. They provide moderate flow control and, therefore, can be used for both on/off and modulating service.
The flat, circular disc of a butterfly valve is mounted on a rod connected to a handle or actuator, which turns the disc either parallel or perpendicular to the flow of fluid. When the valve is closed, the disc shifts to block the passageway completely. When the valve is fully open, the disc is rotated a quarter turn to allow an almost unrestricted passage of the fluid. The valve may also be opened incrementally to regulate flow. It operates similarly to a ball valve. However, the disc is always present within the flow of fluid, causing a slight pressure drop regardless of its position. Butterfly valves have relatively easy maintenance due to the small number of moving parts.
PVDF butterfly valves can weigh less than half of the equivalent size alloy valve, making them easier to install and requiring less support. As a result, they are well suited for a wide variety of fluid flow applications.