Soft Seated vs Metal Seated Butterfly Valves for Marine Use

Choosing the right butterfly valve type is critical for reliable operation in marine systems. Among the most common options, soft seated and metal seated butterfly valves each offer distinct advantages depending on the application and operating conditions.

What Is a Soft Seated Butterfly Valve?

A soft seated butterfly valve uses an elastomer or polymer seat, such as EPDM, NBR, or PTFE, to achieve tight shut-off performance.

Key advantages of soft seated butterfly valves:

Excellent sealing performance/Bubble-tight shut-off/Lower operating torque

Suitable for low to medium temperature and pressure

In marine applications, soft seated butterfly valves are commonly used in:

Seawater cooling systems/Ballast water systems/General service piping

They are preferred where reliable sealing and ease of operation are priorities.

What Is a Metal Seated Butterfly Valve?

A metal seated butterfly valve uses metal-to-metal contact between the disc and seat. This design is intended for harsher operating conditions.

Key advantages of metal seated butterfly valves:

Higher temperature resistance/Better performance under abrasive conditions

Longer service life in demanding environments

Metal seated butterfly valves are typically applied in:

High-temperature marine systems/Systems with suspended particles

Special-duty marine applications

Key Differences for Marine Applications

When selecting between soft seated and metal seated butterfly valves for marine use, the following factors should be considered:

Sealing performance:
Soft seated valves provide superior tight shut-off, while metal seated valves allow minimal leakage depending on design.

Operating conditions:
Soft seated valves are suitable for normal seawater service, whereas metal seated valves are better for higher temperatures and severe conditions.

Maintenance and service life:
Soft seats may require replacement over time, while metal seats offer longer durability under extreme conditions.

Compliance with Marine Standards

Both soft seated and metal seated butterfly valves can be manufactured in accordance with marine classification society requirements, including ABS, DNV, CCS, and LR, ensuring acceptance by shipowners and shipyards.

Conclusion

There is no universal solution for all marine systems. Soft seated butterfly valves are ideal for applications requiring tight sealing and smooth operation, while metal seated butterfly valves are better suited for high-temperature or severe service conditions.

Tianjin Tanghai Dongyang Valve Co., Ltd manufactures both soft seated and metal seated marine butterfly valves, providing solutions compliant with ABS, DNV, CCS, and LR requirements for shipbuilding and marine projects.

Tianjin Tanghai Valve Co., Ltd. is a professional marine valve manufacturer, including butterfly valve, check valve, gate /Knife gate valve. We have certificates: CE, ISO, BV, DNV foundry and products approval. Now we have our own independent R & D, manufacturing, assembly and warehousing workshops; we have professional pre-sale and after-sale technical support and perfect services. Below is our wafer butterfly valve of marine valves,if you need to check more information, please click here: https://www.tanghaivalve.com/lug-type-butterfly-valve-th-btv-lt/

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