Ball Valves: Optimum Control for Liquids and Gases
A ball valve shuts off the flow with a bored sphere that rotates a quarter turn. In the open position the bore aligns with the pipe, so the medium passes almost without resistance. A 90-degree turn then closes the line completely. This design therefore combines fast switching, tight sealing and low maintenance in one compact valve.
Fergo supplies industrial ball valves from DN8 to DN300 for operating pressures up to 64 bar. Body materials include stainless steel 1.4408 (CF8M), duplex stainless steel 1.4470 (CD3MN), steel 1.0460, brass CW617N and ductile iron GGG40. For aggressive media, versions with PFA or conductive PFA-L lining are available as well. Connections cover female threads to ISO 7-1 (EN 10226-1) and ISO 228-1, flanges to DIN PN10 through PN100, ANSI Class 150 and 300, plus weld ends to ANSI B16.25. Face-to-face lengths follow EN 558-1 series 1, 14, 15 and 27.
Ball valves serve the chemical and petrochemical industry, pharmaceutical production, food and beverage plants, water treatment, HVAC systems and general plant engineering. Operators can choose a hand lever, a gearbox, a pneumatic actuator (single or double acting) or an electric actuator in 24 V, 230 V, 240 V and 400 V. Consequently, the same valve body suits both manual isolation and fully automated process control. Fergo also configures complete automation packages with limit switch boxes and NAMUR solenoid valves on request.
Ball Valves by Type and Actuation
01 Threaded Ball Valves
The threaded ball valves cover DN8 to DN100 with female threads to ISO 7-1 (EN 10226-1) or ISO 228-1. The KH104 series uses a chrome-plated brass body and reaches 40 bar. The KH109 and KH113 series, by contrast, are made entirely of stainless steel 1.4408 (CF8M) and withstand up to 63 bar. Full-bore, two-piece and three-piece designs are all available.
02 Flanged Ball Valves
For larger nominal sizes Fergo offers flanged ball valves from DN15 to DN300. Flanges comply with DIN PN10 to PN40 as well as ANSI Class 150 and 300. Bodies come in stainless steel, steel and ductile iron GGG40. Many models carry DVGW, Fire Safe and AD2000-A4 approvals, so they suit safety-critical and emission-relevant installations.
03 3-Way Ball Valves
The 3-way ball valves of the KL103 (stainless steel) and KL113 (brass) series divert, mix or distribute the flow. An L-bore switches between two outlets, whereas a T-bore also allows a straight-through and a mixing position. Both bore types are available with hand lever, pneumatic or electric actuation from DN15 upwards.
04 Welding Ball Valves
Weld-end ball valves integrate permanently into the pipeline. The weld ends follow ANSI B16.25, which eliminates flange gaskets as a potential leak path. This design therefore suits high-pressure lines, buried pipework and installations where a fully welded system is specified. Bodies are made of stainless steel or steel 1.0460.
05 Pneumatic Ball Valves
Pneumatic ball valves switch fast and reliably in automated processes. Double-acting actuators drive the valve in both directions, while single-acting versions close by spring force on air failure (fail-to-close). Actuator flanges follow ISO 5211, so retrofitting is straightforward. Positioners and NAMUR solenoid valves complete the assembly.
06 Electric Ball Valves
Electric ball valves come with the J4C quarter-turn actuator. Its multi-voltage system accepts 24 V, 230 V and 240 V AC/DC, and the 90-degree running time is roughly nine seconds. Torque ranges from 20 to 300 Nm. The matching J4C electric actuator is also available separately for retrofits.
07 Ball Valves for Water & Gas
Certified ball valves for drinking water and gas carry DVGW approval for gas to DIN EN 13774 and for potable water. WRAS-approved versions serve the UK market. Bodies are made of brass, stainless steel, steel or GGG40. These valves are standard in sanitary installations, gas distribution and municipal water supply.
08 Special Material Ball Valves
For extreme service conditions Fergo supplies special material ball valves. Duplex stainless steel 1.4470 (CD3MN) resists seawater and chloride-rich media. PFA-lined ball valves handle concentrated acids and alkalis, and the conductive PFA-L variant additionally dissipates electrostatic charges in ATEX zones.
Materials in Detail: Specifying the Right Ball Valve
Ball and Seat Materials
1. Stainless Steel Ball 1.4408 / 1.4404 / 1.4301, chrome-plated
2. Duplex Ball SS32205
3. PFA-Lined and PFA-L Conductive Ball
4. Ceramic Ball
5. Seats and Seals: PTFE + 15 % Glass Fibre, NBR, FKM
Ball Valve Bore Types and Flow Paths at a Glance
The bore geometry determines pressure drop, flow capacity and switching function. A full bore keeps the line resistance minimal, while a reduced bore lowers cost and torque. In three-way valves, the L-bore and the T-bore create entirely different flow paths. The table below assigns each bore type to its typical application.
| Bore Type | Design | Pressure Drop | Function | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full bore | 2‑way | minimal | bore matches the pipe diameter | pigging lines, viscous or solid-laden media, low-loss isolation |
| Reduced bore | 2‑way | moderate | bore one size smaller than the pipe | clean liquids and gases, cost-sensitive projects, lower actuator torque |
| L‑bore | 3‑way | moderate | connects two of three ports, 90° switching | diverting or selecting between two lines, tank changeover |
| T‑bore | 3‑way | moderate | connects two or all three ports | mixing, distributing, straight-through plus branch flow |
Do you need a heating jacket, an extended stem or a non-standard material combination? Fergo also builds ball valves to specification. Please contact us through the customised solutions section. You can additionally verify material compatibility with your medium beforehand using the Fergo resistance check.
Certificates & Standards for Ball Valves
Fergo ball valves comply with the Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU and carry the CE mark. Gas applications hold DVGW approval to DIN EN 13774, and separate DVGW approval covers drinking water. WRAS certification applies to potable water installations in the United Kingdom. Emission-relevant plants are served by TA-Luft compliant designs, while Fire Safe versions maintain shut-off in the event of fire.
Safety-instrumented systems can draw on SIL 3-rated models, and AD2000 Merkblatt A4 versions suit German pressure vessel codes. Flange connections follow EN 1092-1 and ANSI B16.5, face-to-face lengths EN 558-1 and ANSI B16.10, and actuator interfaces ISO 5211. Inspection documents to EN 10204 — type 2.2 works certificate or type 3.1 inspection certificate — are available on request. A full overview of all certificates is published on the Fergo certificate page.
Delivery & Availability
Fergo holds more than 25,000 industrial valves in stock. Over 1,100 of them are ball valves across the KH104, KH105, KH109, KH113, KL103 and KL113 series — in every common nominal size, material and actuation type. Orders are picked the same working day. Express shipping therefore delivers within the next working days.
Fergo ships across Europe — including the United Kingdom, the Nordic countries and all other EU member states. Smaller threaded valves travel by parcel service, whereas heavy flanged valves and consolidated shipments go by forwarding agent. You will find shipping costs, payment options and express terms on the shipping and payment terms page. For project quantities, special materials or complete automation packages, the Fergo sales team will prepare a quotation at short notice.






