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Why choose the bronze valve? Differences between bronze and brass valve

What Is bronze?

The bronze valve is made of bronze. Bronze is one of the first metal alloys discovered. Metalworkers used copper and tin to create a material that was both strong and malleable, meaning it would not crack as easily as iron. Aside from reduced lead levels and the occasional addition of manganese, aluminum, or nickel, bronze has remained relatively unchanged. This material can only be used to make parts by casting it into a mold or machining a pre-cast bronze ingot.

The surface of bronze is rough and porous, with small cavities. This is because of the casting procedure. Bronze alloys with specific additives, on the other hand, can hold a polish and are less abrasive. Bronze has many advantages, such as high ductility (resistance to cracking), corrosion resistance, and low cost. Bronze valves have numerous applications, including safety relief, flow direction control, shutting off flow, and more! Potable water lead-free bronze valves are available, but they must meet or exceed Clean Water Act lead restrictions.

What exactly is brass?

Brass, like bronze, is highly corrosion-resistant, but it is susceptible to breakdown when exposed to high levels of chlorine.

Brass is a more recent material than bronze. It is primarily composed of copper and zinc, but it is extremely adaptable. There are numerous brass alloys with varying properties. Brass is malleable and simple to work with. This facilitates casting, forging, heat extrusion, and cold drawing. Brass, like bronze, is highly corrosion-resistant, but it is susceptible to breakdown when exposed to high levels of chlorine.

The main advantage of brass valves over bronze valves is that the metal contains much less lead. In most cases, this makes brass safe for drinking water. Because of their low cost, brass valves are also used as shut-off valves in natural gas lines. In almost every case, brass is a far more effective solution than bronze, but it is significantly more expensive. Price disparities can be a problem for many people, but they are usually justified.

The distinction between a brass valve and a bronze valve

The following are the distinctions between a brass valve and a bronze valve:

Material

Brass is a copper and zinc alloy metal with a copper percentage of 57% -63% and zinc content of 35% -40%. Sometimes lead is all that is required. Bronze, on the other hand, is made up of 80%-88% copper and 10%-12% tin. Other metals such as aluminum, nickel, manganese, lead… and nonmetals such as phosphorus, arsenic, and silicon are also added to bronze. The varied material combinations add diverse qualities to the valves.

The pricing problem is critical in this comparison since not all components are the same price. When comparing brass with bronze, brass is 3-4 times less expensive. This is due to the decreased cost of zinc, which makes brass more inexpensive. Furthermore, the flat surface of brass and its machineability reduce finishing costs during valve manufacture. Bronze components, on the other hand, are pricey…

and need additional polish for their rough external polishing, which raises the price.

Color and User Interface

Although copper is the primary component of brass and bronze, the combination of the other components determines the hue. The primary hue of the brass valve is often light yellow or gold-like but dull. The bronze valves have a reddish-brown color. Both kinds, however, may have various finishes, such as chrome plating. You may match the valve interface to your chosen theme by selecting a natural hue or other finishes.

Media and Applications

This is especially crucial when deciding between brass and bronze valves. For certain uses, each kind has various strengths and limitations. Brass valves, for example, are the ideal option for the plumbing sector and potable water. It also works very well with natural gas and oils. However, it may raise worry for food and beverage manufacturers.

Bronze valves, on the other hand, may introduce dangerous lead into the drinking water. However, if you can use a lead-free bronze valve, you should be OK. It’s appropriate for plumbing and other industrial applications. Because bronze valves are more corrosion-resistant in saltwater settings, they are ideal for use in marine areas.

Durability

Brass and bronze valves are both strong and long-lasting when it comes to durability. However, brass valves are somewhat larger than bronze valves. Brass is a more durable, resistant, strong, and flexible metal than bronze. However, excessive quantities of chlorine and salt may corrode the brass, therefore bronze is preferable in this case. To improve stability, consider your media first, then choose the valve.

Metal Fusion

Metal mash is the amount of metal that the valve combines with the medium. Brass has 2-3% lead and bronze contains 5% or more. Because bronze has more information, it distributes more metal via the media. For potable water, brass valves are preferred. Some producers, however, employ a lead-free substance that complies with the Clean Water Act’s lead limits. You could utilize something like that if you have it.

Heat Tolerance

Brass and bronze valves both perform well at high temperatures. Brass has a melting point of 1710oF (930oC) while bronze has a melting temperature of 1590oF. (865oC). As a result, brass can withstand somewhat higher temperatures than bronze. Brass, on the other hand, is more efficient at high temperatures but less so at low temperatures.

The Advantages of Using Bronze Ball Valves

  1. There are several advantages to employing Bronze ball valves in your operation. They are not only long-lasting but they may also be employed in high-performance applications. In reality, the bronze valve is classified into three types: ball, globe, and check.
  2. Bronzes are corrosion resistant, among other advantages. This material can withstand extreme temperatures, pressure, and a variety of other conditions. It is also highly malleable and ductile, which makes it an excellent material for valves. Furthermore, copper has exceptional antimicrobial properties, making it ideal for chemical and water systems. Copper was even thought to be capable of purifying drinking water by the Greeks. Finally, because the bronze valve is simple to shape, cast, and machine, it is an excellent choice for industrial applications.
  3. If you want to buy a bronze ball valve for your potable water system, look for one that is NSF-61 certified or ANSI-NSF-372 certified. These certifications certify that the valve meets the minimum lead-in drinking water requirements.
  4. Bronze valves are also less expensive than brass valves. Aside from being inexpensive and long-lasting, bronze is also known for its corrosion resistance. Zinc is included in the alloy, which boosts the material’s strength while diminishing its flexibility. This alloy may also withstand acidic and alkaline meals. It’s also ideal for low-temperature systems since it doesn’t rust.

Bronze valves by GMK

Bronze Flanged Ball Valve

GMK is glad to offer its customers a broad variety of bronze-flanged ball valves for use in a variety of commercial and industrial applications. The company’s general service valves are among the best on the market. Manufacturing GMK bronze flanged ball valves require state-of-the-art factories outfitted to handle the delicate components. Raw materials are selected, then the process moves on to casting, forging, machining, assembly, and testing. The extensive use of automated production lines and cutting-edge production technology has been linked to an increase in total productivity. Because of integrating standards with robotics, we get.

GMK Bronze Swing Check Valve

GMK Bronze Swing Check Valves allow forward flow but prevent backflow. In circumstances needing uniform flow in one direction, it’s a dependable solution. Disc, seat, and hinge comprise a swing check valve. When a particular amount of fluid is transported per unit of time, the disc rotates to enable onward flow. When the flow stops, the valve closes. Disc and seat combinations provide process media compatibility and application-specific demands. For a check valve to release its seal, there has to be a particular amount of pressure coming from farther upstream. Engineers call this lowest pressure the braking pressure. If you want a check valve to work reliably, you need to make sure it can handle at least a certain amount of flow. Size them suitably for their usage and surroundings.

Conclusion

Knowing the benefits and drawbacks of bronze and brass valves allows you to choose the right material for the job. Traditional bronze compositions include copper and tin. It may be cast or machined into valves and other components have a higher tensile strength than iron and are very fracture resistant. Given that bronze and brass each have their own set of advantages and disadvantages, it’s impossible to say which one is more expensive. It’s important to think about where the factory is located, however. Brass is often more costly than bronze due to its higher production cost and the increased number of resources (such as copper) required to create the metal. Bronze valves are utilized in high-performance and petrochemical applications, especially in maritime conditions where corrosion must be minimized. This is due to bronze’s durability against oxidation and other types of wear. Buy your favorite bronze valve from GMK.