What Causes Ball Valve Failure? 5 Common Issues and How to Prevent Them
2025-04-11
Ball valves are widely used industrial flow control components, commonly found in applications such as water treatment, oil and gas, chemical processing, HVAC systems, and the food and pharmaceutical industries. Thanks to their compact structure, quick shut-off capability, and excellent sealing performance, ball valves play a critical role in various fluid systems. However, even the most reliable ball valve can encounter failures after prolonged operation. When a ball valve fails, it can compromise the stability of the entire system and, in severe cases, lead to media leakage or even safety incidents. Therefore, understanding the root causes of ball valve failure and implementing effective preventive measures is essential for engineers and maintenance personnel. 1. Seal Failure Cause: Seal failure in ball valves is often caused by seat wear, debris accumulation, or aging of sealing materials. This issue is especially common in high-temperature, high-pressure, or corrosive media environments. Prevention Tips: To extend the service life of the seal, choose ball valves with PTFE or metal seats that are compatible with the process media. Regularly clean the seat area and establish a replacement schedule based on the operating conditions. 2. Corrosion or Scratches on the Ball Surface Cause: When a ball valve is used with media containing acids, alkalis, high salt content, or abrasive particles, improper material selection can lead to corrosion, pitting, or surface scratches. These issues reduce sealing performance and affect smooth operation. Prevention Tips: Select stainless steel ball valves (such as 304 or 316 grades) or special alloy ball valves based on the specific media characteristics. Additionally, install a strainer or filter to minimize solid particle intrusion and protect the valve internals. 3. Stem Breakage or Seizure Cause: The valve stem, which transmits torque to the ball, may experience metal fatigue and fracture under frequent operation or excessive torque. Seizure can also occur due to bearing wear or lack of lubrication. In some low-quality ball valves, insufficient structural design margin further increases the risk of stem failure. Prevention Tips: Use ball valves with blow-out proof stem designs to enhance operational safety. Ensure that operating torque stays within the valve’s rated limits, and apply lubricant regularly to reduce friction and wear, extending service life. 4. Improper Installation or Operation Cause: Human errors such as incorrect installation direction, loose flange connections, or frequent forceful operation are major contributors to early ball valve failure. In the case of electric or pneumatic ball valves, signal control errors can also lead to misoperation or valve jamming. Prevention Tips: Always follow the manufacturer’s installation guidelines, ensure proper alignment and secure flange connections. Install limit switches and torque protection devices to safeguard...