Pipes and valves are used in a wide number of applications across a variety of industries. Whether the job requires a pipe to move large quantities of water and oil, or a valve is required to manage a situation involving high temperatures and pressure stresses, it is important to know which metal used for constructing these devices will prove to be durable and reliable for long term use. Keep in mind, there are many different metal types and alloys to choose from, so the array of options is vast. However, some metals simply do better in specific situations, and here are a few to consider.
Best Metal for Water Pipes
If you are thinking about re-piping a home with new water pipes, copper pipes are among the best pipes to use. Copper pipes are durable, reliable and will last for a long time. These pipes are easy to manage, they do not burst in freezing weather and they handle hot and cold-water transfer rather well. Copper is also highly resistant to corrosion. This makes copper pipes a traditional choice for plumbers everywhere. However, it should be noted that copper pipes can be expensive, as the price of copper tends to increase with time.
Aluminum Pipes
In chemical plants, the aeronautics field and compressed air pipelines it is common for aluminum to be used in pipe construction. Aluminum is a good choice in these areas because it is corrosion resistant, extremely light weight and tends to be versatile. On the other hand, aluminum can tend to be expensive to use and typically costs more than steel.
Stainless Steel Valves
When it comes to choosing the right valve for the job, it is important to have a valve that can stand up to corrosion and lots of pressure. This means the valve must be constructed from a high-quality metal that is both nontoxic and reliable. This is why stainless steel valves are one of the best choices for high temperature situations. A drawback to using stainless steel is that it does tend to be heavier than other metal valve options.
Titanium Valves
When it comes to engine performance, titanium valves may be among the best types of valves for this application. To begin with, a titanium valve is going to be up to 40-percent lighter than a stainless-steel valve. Additionally, a titanium valve can handle rapid opening and closing for higher engine performance. These valves allow an engine to function with reduced stress, greater reliability and less wear than other valves. The potential drawbacks of using titanium valves is that they are more difficult to machine and they tend to be way more expensive than stainless steel valves.
If a person is going to need to use pipes and valves in a particular project, it is always a smart idea to look into what other people have used to do the same job when possible. Often there are good reasons why other individuals use the components and metals that they do from reliability to cost being two of the most important factors. However, other factors may weigh in more heavily depending on what the application tends to be. Keep in mind the conditions your pipes will be under during their use so you can choose the best material for the job.
Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She loves being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise. Meghan finds happiness in researching new topics that help to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. You can connect with her on Facebook right here and Twitter right here.
