How to lubricate a ball valve? Which greases should I use?
Valves and taps are devices used to stop or modify the flow of a liquid, gas, etc.
These elements are found in most industrial activities that require the transport or conveying of fluids or gases.
For example: Water treatment, Energy, Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Food, Cement, Steel…
Below is a reminder of the standards for taps and fittings:
| APPLICATION | REGULATIONS, STANDARDS, CERTIFICATIONS | ORGANISME | COMMENTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drinking water network and sanitary fittings |  |
French Sanitary Conformity Attestation | French drinking water qualification. Valid for 5 years. |
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Water Regulation Advisory Scheme (UK) | English drinking water qualification valid for 5 years | |
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National Sanitation Foundation | NSF-61 : drinking water | |
| Food and beverage industry |  |
Food and Drug Administration, USA | The FDA draws up so-called positive lists of chemical substances that may be used in lubricants classified according to USDA H1. The rules according to 21 CFR 178.3570 are the basis for the permitted components and recipes of lubricants. |
|
National Sanitation Foundation | NSF-H1 : Food grade lubricant – Allows incidental contact with food NSF-51: Applicable to piping, all types of seals, gaskets, valves and other components for many food contact applications. | |
| Obturators in gas installations and control valves |  |
Deutscher Verein des Gas und Wasserfaches | Concerns lubricants that are used in the fittings of domestic gas installations, in the piping, in the transport of gas as well as for the fittings of household appliances supplied with gas. |
| Oxygen |  |
Bundesanstalt für Materialprüfung | Lubricant and seal tests for oxygen valves (maximum pressure and admissible temperature are retained) |
| Nuclear power plant PMUC Usable Products and Materials | PMUC | Products and materials for use in the plant | Product complying with the technical agreement relating to the approval issued by the EDF / UTO / SIL, for the supply of products and materials for use in power plants. |
The ball valve :
The ball valve is used in central heating or sanitary water installations. It is a shut-off valve to cut off the flow of water in a part of the circuit, but it is also used as a flow control valve if it is equipped with a suitable control valve.
Which lubricants to use for the assembly / manufacture of a ball valve
Oil |
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| References | Applications types | Registration | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molykote® SEPARATOR | Installation of elastomer seals on shaft and axle. | |
Silicone oil • NSF H1 |
Greases |
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| Molykote® Longterm W2 | Lubrication of the operating rod Metal/metal lubrication in slow to fast motion under moderate load | – | Mineral oil, lithium thickener, solid lubricants – From -30 to +110°C (130°C for a short period) – White – Excellent adhesion – Good protection against corrosion |
| Molykote® G-4500 FM | Long-term lubrication for installation and maintenance Cable gland with braided packing | |
PAO oil, Aluminium complex thickener, PTFE – White – From -40 to +150°C – Compatible with most materials – NSF H1 |
| Molykote® HP300 | Lubrication of operating shaft in the presence of foodstuffs or drinking water and extreme conditions – Cable gland with braided packing | |
PFPE oil – PTFE thickener – From -65 to +250°C (to + 280°C for short periods) – White – High load capacity – Long life lubrication – Water and chemical resistant – NSF H1 |
| Molykote® G-5511 | Actuator lubrication, ceramic discs for water valves and cartridges |
|
-40 to +200°C / Silicone / PTFE / White / FDA / KTW / ACS / NSF 51 / NSF 61 / DVGW Gas / White |
| Molykote® 111 | O-rings and sealing rings – Rubber and plastic gaskets – Valve seals – Obturators – Lubrication and sealing of static seals (other than silicone) for pressure and vacuum systems, equipment subjected to marine environments, intense washing, hot or cold water, steam, etc.) – Gases (other than oxygen) – Chemical barriers – Seal assembly aids |
PMUC |
Silicone oil, Inorganic thickener – From -40 to +200°C – Translucent white – Chemical barrier – Very adherent – NSF 51 (food) and 61 (drinking water) – ACS -WRAS – PMUC (PMUC tube number: 08046 / 19-061) |
| Voltalef® 90 | Greases for valves and fittings used with chemicals, valves and fittings on nuclear sites | |
0 to + 170°C / PCTFE grease for oxygen contact BAM approved – Air Liquide certified / Silica / Evaporation at 100°C = 2.2% after 120 H |
| Voltalef® 901 | Greases for valves and fittings used with chemicals, valves and fittings on nuclear sites | |
0 to + 170°C / BAM approved PCTFE grease for oxygen contact / Fluoropolymer / Evaporation at 100°C = 2.2% after 120 H |
| Krytox® GPL 226 | Used to lubricate seals, o-rings in the presence of gases (oxygen type), aggressive products |
|
-36 to 260°C / Load: 3330 N / DN:400 000 / High temperature grease / NSF-H1/ BAM / Air Liquide / Base oil at 40°C = 220 Cst / NLGI 2 |
Pastes
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| Molykote® P-1900 | Screws – Flanges – Threaded operating rod – Operating nut – Connecting flanges – INOX/INOX screwed assemblies – Screwed assemblies requiring food grade lubricant – Lubrication of mechanical components of food industry equipment | |
Mineral oil – Complex aluminium thickener – Solid lubricants – White – From -30 to +300°C – High loads – Low to medium speed – Low friction coefficient – Good water resistance – NSF H1 |
| Molykote® 1000 | Flanges, Metal screwed assemblies requiring a regular torque | – | Mineral oil – Thickener – Copper metal powder – Copper colour – From -30 to + 650°C – Metal parts subjected to high temperatures and corrosive environments – Maintains a constant tightening and loosening torque – High resistance to heavy loads |
Anti-Friction Coating |
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| Molykote® D-321 R | Screws – Shafts – Permanent lubrication of highly stressed metal/metal combinations in low speed, oscillating motion or intermittent operation (Gland: lantern and soft metal ring) – Improves running-in and lubrication in vacuum and at extreme temperatures | – | (Air drying (5mn at 23°C) – High resistance to ageing) – MoS2 – Black – From -180 to +450°C – Low friction coefficient – Prevents chattering |
More informaton :
Needs information about the brand of industrial lubricants Molykote®? Contact our technical service by phone to +33 426 680 680 or fill our Contact form.
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