A check valve, also known as a non-return or one-way valve, plays a crucial role in fluid transfer systems, preventing backflow and ensuring efficient operations. Among the various types – Ball, Poppet or Piston, – each comes with unique features best suited for specific applications. Utilized across various industries, including chemical dispensing, food and beverage, dental, HVAC, agriculture and more, we’ll explore the key considerations when choosing a check valve for your fluid transfer system.

Ball Check Valve – Simple and Robust

• Overview: A ball valve features a closing mechanism in the shape of a ball to block flow. The interior surfaces of the main seats are conically tapered for the ball to fit into, forming a positive seal that stops reverse flow.
• Designed for: High-pressure applications, systems with high flow requirements, and the flow of viscous media. Most economical check valve option.
• Considerations: Ball check valves are less suitable for applications that require fine-tuned regulation of fluid flow or have tight space parameters.

Poppet Check Valves – Accurate and Reliable

• Overview: A poppet check valve features a moveable element, typically a disk or cone-shaped component, referred to as a poppet. The poppet is held in place by a spring or other mechanism, allowing it to move away from the seat when fluid flows and return to the closed position when there is backflow.
• Designed for: Fluid transfer systems where accurate regulation of fluid flow is necessary; these applications include chemical or laundry dousing systems. Smaller overall size when compared to ball or piston check valves.
• Considerations: Not ideal for low-pressure conditions, where the springe force may overcome the pressure of the fluid, resulting in partial closure and potential backflow. Poppet check valves can have higher friction loss and should be considered if minimizing pressure drops is critical.

Piston Check Valves – Precise and Efficient

• Overview: A Piston check valve utilizes a piston or disk, housed within a cylinder, to control the media flow. The piston is lifted allowing flow and forced back into the closed position in the presence of reverse flow.
• Designed for: Low flow rates and situations where positive closure is crucial.
• Considerations: Potential for sticking or sluggish movement if debris or contaminants are found in the transfer media. Higher friction loss should also be considered with Piston check valves.

Ball, poppet, and piston are distinct types of check valves, each engineered to address specific fluid control challenges. Understanding your fluid system, existing components and environment will help drive the decision-making for which check valve will provide the best results.

Looking for more information about check valves read the Check Valve – A Tutorial downloadable PDF.

With more than one hundred years of design and manufacturing experience behind us, The Specialty Mfg. Co. offers a broad range of brass, steel, and plastic check valves, pneumatic check valve and one way check valve options, as well as numerous other valves and related components.

Our in-house operations and expertise in steel, brass and plastic manufacturing allows us to meet our customers’ needs – whether they are stock items or fully custom parts. Use our 3D valve configurator to design your valve or contact our sales team to discuss custom valve solutions.