Ball Valves: Floating vs. Trunnion Mounted Types

Stainless steel ball valves are widely used across numerous industries. Given their broad applicability, it is essential to understand the different classifications of stainless steel ball valves and how to select a reliable manufacturer. Most users tend to look for a suitable supplier that aligns with their specific needs. So, what are the main categories of stainless steel ball valves?

1. Floating Ball Valve

In this design, the ball is not fixed and is free to move within the valve body. Under the pressure of the media, the ball moves slightly downstream, pressing tightly against the seat at the outlet side to achieve a reliable seal.

Floating ball valves are simple in structure and provide excellent sealing performance. However, since the media load is transferred from the ball directly to the downstream sealing ring, the material and durability of the sealing ring must be considered carefully. This type of valve is commonly used in low- and medium-pressure applications.

2. Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve

The Trunnion Mounted Ball Valve, also commonly referred to as a Trunnion Ball Valve, is designed with a fixed ball supported by upper and lower trunnions. Unlike floating ball valves, the ball remains stationary under pressure, while the seats are free to move and press against the ball to achieve a tight seal.

This structure greatly reduces operating torque, making it ideal for high-pressure, large-diameter applications. To further enhance sealing reliability and ease of operation, some trunnion mounted ball valves are equipped with emergency sealant injection systems, forming an additional oil film that improves sealing performance and reduces friction.

Thanks to its robust design, excellent sealing performance, and ease of operation, the trunnion ball valve is widely used in oil & gas, petrochemical, pipeline, and power industries where safety and reliability are critical.

3. Metal Seated Ball Valve for High Temperature and Pressure Applications

The metal seated ball valve is designed to perform reliably in high temperature and high pressure environments, where soft-seated valves may fail.

This type of valve features a trunnion-mounted or floating ball structure, with both the ball and seats made from hard metal materials such as stainless steel, Stellite, or tungsten carbide.

In certain advanced designs, the ball is engineered with a flexible or slotted groove structure, allowing slight deformation under force. This enables tight metal-to-metal sealing while keeping torque low during operation, making it ideal for applications in power plants, petrochemical facilities, and high-temperature steam pipelines.

These valves are also available with emergency sealant injection systems, providing additional sealing protection in critical systems.

How to Choose a Stainless Steel Ball Valve Manufacturer?

There are many stainless steel ball valve manufacturers in China. So how do you choose the right one?

1. Proximity-Based Selection
   It is practical to select a local manufacturer—for example, if you are in Shanghai, choosing a Shanghai-based manufacturer can be more convenient. This allows for on-site visits, face-to-face communication, and fosters greater trust in the collaboration.

2. Brand Recognition
   In every industry, there are well-established brands. If you’re unsure which manufacturer to select, opting for a reputable brand can reduce risk and increase reliability.

3. Repeat Partnerships
   If you have previous positive experience with a manufacturer and are confident in their product quality, it makes sense to continue the cooperation for consistency and reliability.

Ultimately, every customer has their own criteria for choosing a supplier. The most important thing is to select a manufacturer that is right for your application, rather than simply going for the cheapest option.

Thank you for visiting our official website [www.sh-ltvalve.com]. For technical inquiries or commercial support, please contact our customer service team. Our manufacturing facility specializes in low-temperature valve systems, including cryogenic globe valve, cryogenic check valve, cryogenic gate valve, ball valve, cryogenic butterfly valve, cryogenic needle valve，cryogenic control valve and so on, designed to meet rigorous industrial application requirements.