Cemented carbide valve balls are key components widely used in harsh conditions such as high pressure, high temperature, and strong corrosion for sealing or controlling fluids. They are primarily made of tungsten carbide. The main advantages are as follows:
1. Extremely high hardness and wear resistance
Hardness approaching diamond: Cemented carbide typically has a hardness of HRA 90 or higher, second only to diamond, enabling it to withstand the erosion of particulate media and frequent opening and closing wear.
Extended service life: Compared to stainless steel or ceramic valve balls, their service life in abrasive media can be several times to tens of times longer.
2. Excellent corrosion resistance
Resistant to chemical corrosion: Strong resistance to corrosive media such as acids, alkalis, and salts (e.g., chloride ions, sulfuric acid), suitable for chemical, petrochemical, and marine engineering fields.
High surface stability: Not prone to oxidation or electrochemical corrosion, maintaining long-term sealing performance.
3. High Strength and Compression Resistance
High Compression Strength: Withstands extremely high pressure (up to 100MPa or more) without easily deforming or breaking.
Good Impact Resistance: Some cemented carbide, through cobalt content adjustment, combine toughness and hardness, adapting to pressure fluctuations or water hammer impacts.
4. Stable High-Temperature Performance
High-Temperature Oxidation Resistance: Maintains structural stability in high-temperature environments (up to 800℃ or more), suitable for high-temperature conditions in power plants, metallurgy, etc.
Low Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: Reduces the risk of seal failure caused by temperature changes when matched with valve seat materials.
5. Excellent Sealing Performance
High-Precision Machining: Cemented carbide can be ground to a mirror-like finish (Ra≤0.025μm), ensuring a tight fit with the valve seat and achieving zero leakage.
Long-Term Shape Retention: Resistant to wear and deformation, ensuring reliable sealing throughout the valve's entire lifespan.
6. Comprehensive Economic Advantages
Although the initial cost is high, the ultra-long lifespan reduces replacement frequency and downtime losses, resulting in lower overall costs.
Adaptable to extreme working conditions: In scenarios where traditional metal or ceramic valve balls cannot meet the requirements, cemented carbide becomes an irreplaceable choice.
