Every valve has a seal. This is the exact area where the valve closes to stop liquid or gas. If this seal fails, the valve will leak. Engineers usually choose between two types of seals. They choose metal-to-metal seals or soft seals. The right choice depends on the temperature and the material inside the pipe.

What Is a Metal-to-Metal Seal?

In this design, two metal parts press directly against each other. The valve does not use any rubber or plastic. Workers use these valves for very hot or high-pressure systems. For example, steam pipes can melt plastic. You must use metal-to-metal seals for these hot pipes.

Factory machines polish these metal parts until they are perfectly smooth. When the valve closes, the parts fit together very tightly. No fluid can pass through them. However, factories must make these parts with perfect accuracy. A tiny scratch on the metal will cause a leak. For this reason, metal-to-metal valves cost more money to make.

What Is a Soft Seal?

You can find soft seals in most home and garden valves. This design uses a ring made of rubber or plastic. When you close the valve, a metal part presses into this soft ring. The ring changes shape slightly to wrap around the metal. This action creates a perfect seal.

Soft seals are very forgiving. The soft ring can fill small gaps. It can seal properly even if the metal has a tiny scratch or a bit of dirt. Therefore, factories can make these valves quickly and cheaply. They do not need to polish the metal perfectly.

The Downside of Soft Seals

Soft seals have a clear limit with heat. Hot liquids will melt the rubber or plastic ring. When the ring breaks, the valve leaks. You must then take the valve apart to fix it.

Harsh chemicals can also destroy rubber seals over time. You must know what your customer will pump through the valve. You should always suggest a metal-to-metal seal if they use hot chemicals.

How to Choose for Your Business

You should use soft seals if you make valves for homes and simple plumbing. These valves are cheap to build and easy to put together. They work well for many years in regular houses. Customers like them because they are cheap and easy to turn.

You should make metal-to-metal valves if you want to sell to power plants or factories. These valves show that your company can build high-quality products for tough jobs. This choice helps you move from selling cheap parts to selling high-end equipment.