Brass gate valves are a type of closed-off valve that uses a screw mechanism and stem to open and close. They are commonly used in industrial applications, including water and wastewater systems.
Gate valves are available in a wide range of sizes, materials and pressure classes. They are designed to completely shut off or provide full flow in a pipeline.
Body
Brass gate valves are commonly used to control the flow of medium through a pipe or equipment. They feature low resistance to medium flow in the open position and are available in a variety of sizes, materials, and pressure classes.
The body of a brass gate valve consists of two parts: the stem and the disc/gate. The stem is connected to the actuator (handwheel or other actuation device) that rotates the disc/gate through 360 degrees to open and close the valve.
There are a number of disc/gate types and each one has its own set of benefits. The solid wedge has been the most common for the longest time, but today it is less prevalent.
The split wedge type consists of a two-piece design with mating surfaces on the back side of each disc half. These allow the downward stem thrust to be uniformly transferred to the disc faces and onto the seats. This flexible design also protects against jamming due to thermal expansion.
Stem
The stem on gate valves is the threaded connection that connects the actuator, such as a handwheel, to the gate. The stem moves up and down as the manual wheel spins. This allows the valve to open and close as needed.
A gate valve is designed with either a rising stem or a non-rising stem, depending on its design. The rising stem is more popular in industrial applications, but it is also standard in waterworks and plumbing.
Stems may be made from brass, bronze or cast iron and are available with screw-in, union or bolted bonnets. They offer leak-proof closure for the body and bonnet, which are used to contain pressure.
Discs come in two main styles: wedge and parallel. Wedge gates have grooves or ribs cast or welded into the body of the valve to keep the disc in alignment during opening and closing. They are commonly used on bronze, cast iron, compact carbon steel and water service valves (API 602 type). The parallel seated disc has no grooves or ribs to guide it, but instead uses its position to seal the upstream seat.
Disc
The disc pictured is indeed a blingt up and the ilk of the surrounding equps. The best part? Dixon has been in business since 1916 and is one of the longest standing family owned companies in the industry. The aforementioned family is the brains behind all the magic and a hefty portion of it goes to our valued employees who keep the magic a lid on. We are proud of our plethora of high quality products to the point of unhappiness and a few bumps here and there along the way.
Packing
Brass gate valves are a great choice for heavy-duty applications that require durability and resistance to corrosion. They are also able to handle high temperatures and pressure, making them a good choice for industrial and marine environments.
Various alloys are used to make brass, including copper (usually around 57%-63%), zinc, and sometimes lead. These are often combined with other metals, such as iron, tin, and nickel.
Both brass and bronze are composite metals that have different strengths and weaknesses, which can affect their performance. It is important to consider these factors when choosing a valve material for your project.
If sediment or minerals are preventing your gate valve from shutting off properly, flush it out with water to break free the debris. Lower the valve’s gate regularly to do this. This will also help you see the problem better.