Selecting plastic valves requires an analysis of performance specifications, actuation methods, and connection types. Performance specifications include valve size, pressure rating, number of ports or ways, media temperature, and valve flow coefficient. Suppliers specify valves according to metric or English (imperial) measurements. Some plastic valve is actuated manually, by a hand wheel or crank, or with mechanical devices such floats and cams. Others are actuated by electric, pneumatic, electro-hydraulic, or electro-hydraulic methods. There are many connection types for plastic valves. Examples include compression fittings, bolt flanges, clamp flanges, union connections, tube fittings, butt welds, and socket welds. Plastic valves with internal or external threads for inlet or outlet connections are also available.
plastic valve is used with a variety of media. Examples include powders, rendering wastes, sludge, slurry, ash slurry, coolants, hazardous materials, high viscosity fluids, hydraulic fluid, liquid metal, lubricants, air and compressed air, hot and cold water, salt water, wastewater, gasoline, diesel fuel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), natural gas, abrasive materials, acids, and adhesives.