| Valve Type | Resilient-seated butterfly valve | A quarter-turn isolation valve that uses a circular disc mounted on a rotating shaft to control fluid flow through the pipeline. |
| Operating Principle | Disc rotation through approximately 90° | When the disc is aligned with the pipeline, the valve is open. When the disc rotates across the flow path, it closes and stops the fluid. |
| Seat Sealing | Elastic liner around the disc perimeter | The resilient seat is compressed by the disc during closure, creating a tight seal. Common seat materials include EPDM, NBR, and PTFE, selected according to the medium and temperature. |
| Flow Control | Isolation and throttling service | The valve is highly effective for on/off service. It can also regulate flow, although prolonged throttling may increase turbulence, noise, and seat wear. |
| Actuation | Manual, electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic | Manual handles or gear operators are common for smaller valves. Larger or automated systems may use electric or pneumatic actuators for remote and repeatable operation. |
| Typical Pressure Range | Commonly PN 6 to PN 16 or Class 150 | The allowable pressure depends on the valve design, body material, seat material, size, and applicable standard. The product nameplate and manufacturer data sheet should always be checked. |
| Typical Temperature Range | Approximately −20°C to 120°C for many EPDM-seated designs | Actual limits vary by seat compound. EPDM is commonly used for water and some mild chemicals, while NBR is often selected for oil-containing media. Temperature ratings must be confirmed for the specific seat. |
| Common Body Materials | Ductile iron, cast iron, carbon steel, or stainless steel | Ductile iron is widely used for water applications because of its strength and cost balance. Stainless steel is preferred when corrosion resistance or chemical compatibility is more demanding. |
| Common Disc Materials | Ductile iron, stainless steel, aluminum bronze, or coated alloys | The disc material should be compatible with the fluid. Stainless steel and aluminum bronze can provide improved resistance to corrosion compared with unprotected carbon steel. |
| Connection Options | Wafer, lug, double-flanged, or grooved designs | Wafer valves fit between pipeline flanges and are compact. Lug valves allow more flexible installation and may be used for dead-end service when specifically rated for it. |
| Nominal Size Range | Frequently available from DN 50 to DN 1200 or larger | Butterfly valves are especially practical for medium and large pipelines because they require less space and generally have lower weight than comparable gate or globe valves. |
| Flow Characteristics | Low pressure drop when fully open | The disc remains in the flow path, so a butterfly valve may produce more pressure loss than a fully open gate valve. However, its compact design provides efficient flow in many water and HVAC systems. |
| Industry Standards | EN 593, API 609, ISO 5752, and ISO 5211 | These standards address areas such as butterfly valve design, face-to-face dimensions, testing, and actuator mounting. The required standard depends on the project specification and market. |
| Leakage Performance | Resilient-seat tight shutoff | A properly selected and maintained resilient seat can provide reliable bubble-tight or near-zero visible leakage performance under the conditions defined by the applicable test standard. |
| Main Applications | Water treatment, HVAC, irrigation, fire protection, and general utilities | These applications typically require compact isolation, moderate pressure ratings, and reliable shutoff. Special seat and body materials are needed for corrosive, abrasive, toxic, or high-temperature media. |
| Key Advantages | Compact, lightweight, economical, and quick to operate | Quarter-turn operation reduces actuation time. The short face-to-face length and low weight can simplify installation, reduce support requirements, and lower overall system cost. |
| Important Limitations | Seat and disc compatibility are critical | Resilient seats may be unsuitable for high temperatures, severe abrasion, or certain aggressive chemicals. The disc can also restrict flow and may not be ideal for applications requiring completely unobstructed passage. |
| Selection Checklist | Size, pressure, temperature, medium, seat, body, disc, and actuation | A reliable selection should compare line size, operating pressure, maximum and minimum temperature, fluid composition, flow velocity, installation orientation, end connection, control requirements, and applicable standards. |
| Maintenance Considerations | Periodic inspection and correct operating torque | Inspect the seat, shaft, disc, fasteners, actuator, and flange alignment. Avoid forcing the valve beyond its designed travel, and verify that debris does not prevent the disc from reaching the fully closed position. |