C ATA L O G C - C R G - 0 5 1 7

E M - G UID
C H E

C H E M I C A L R E S I S TA N C E
I N F O R M AT I O N
F O R P L A S T I C A N D M E TA L
VA LV E S A N D F I T T I N G S
Business-to-Business Solutions
Look to NIBCO for technology leadership.

The velocity with which e-business evolves

demands that new products and serv-
ices be continuously developed and
introduced to keep our customers at
the center of our business efforts.
NIBCO provides an entire suite of
business-to-business solutions that is
changing the way we interact with customers.

[Link] is an exclusive set of secure web applications that allow quick access to
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• Viewable invoices & reports • Order status
• Inventory availability • Online library of price sheets, catalogs & submittals

Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) makes it possible to trade business documents at the speed of
light. This technology cuts the cost of each transaction by eliminating the manual labor and paper-
work involved in traditional order taking. This amounts to cost-savings, increased accuracy and
better use of resources.

With EDI, you can trade:

• Purchase orders • Product activity data
• PO Acknowledgements • Advanced ship notices
• Invoices • Remittance advice

Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), a sophisticated service for automated inventory management,
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NIBCO. This is an on-going, interactive partnership with NIBCO.

Through automation, VMI brings results:

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NIBCO INC. WORLD HEADQUARTERS • 1516 MIDDLEBURY ST. • ELKHART, IN 46516-4740 • USA • PH: 1.800.234.0227
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A H E A D   O F   T H E   F L O W®

Material Ratings and Definitions

INTRODUCTION THERMOPLASTICS & ELASTOMERS
This Chemical Resistance Guide has been compiled to assist the ABS — Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Class 32222 conform-
piping system designer in selecting chemical-resistant materials. ing to ASTM D3965 is a time-proven material. The smooth inner
The information given is intended as a guide only. Many condi- surface and superior resistance to deposit formation makes ABS
tions can affect the material choices. Careful consideration must drain, waste, and vent material ideal for residential and com-
be given to temperature, pressure and chemical concentrations mercial sanitary systems. The residential DWV system can be
before a final material can be selected. exposed in service to a wide temperature span. ABS-DWV has
proven satisfactory for use from -40°F to 160°F. These temper-
The physical characteristics of thermoplastics and elastomers ature variations can occur due to ambient temperature or the
are more sensitive to temperature than metals. For this reason, a discharge of hot liquids into the system. ABS-DWV is very resis-
rating chart has been developed for each. tant to a wide variety of materials ranging from sewage to com-
mercial household chemical formulations. ABS-DWV is joined by
MATERIAL RATINGS solvent cementing or threading and can easily be connected to
FOR THERMOPLASTICS & ELASTOMERS steel, copper, or cast iron through the use of transition fittings.
Temp. in °F = “A” rating, maximum temperature CPVC — Chlorinated Polyvinyl Chloride Class 23447 conform-
which is recommended, resistant ing to ASTM D1784, has physical properties at 73°F similar to
under normal conditions those of PVC, and its chemical resistance is similar to or gener-
B to Temp. in °F = Conditional resistance, consult factory ally better than that of PVC. CPVC, with a design stress of 2000
C = Not recommended psi and maximum service temperature of 210°F, has proven to
be an excellent material for hot corrosive liquids, hot or cold wa-
Blank = No data available
ter distribution, and similar applications above the temperature
MATERIAL RATINGS FOR METALS range of PVC. CPVC is joined by solvent cementing, threading
or flanging.
A = Recommended, resistant under normal
conditions PP (Polypropylene) — Polypropylene is a polyolefin, which is
B = Conditional, consult factory lightweight and generally high in chemical resistance. Although
polypropylene is slightly lower in physical properties compared
C = Not recommended to PVC, it is chemically resistant to organic solvents as well as
Blank = No data available acids and alkalies. Generally, polypropylene should not be
used in contact with strong oxidizing acids, chlorinated hy-
drocarbons, and aromatics. With a design stress of 1000 psi
Temperature maximums for thermoplastics, elastomers and at 73° F, polypropylene has gained wide acceptance where its
metals should always fall within published temp/pressure ratings resistance to sulfur-bearing compounds is particularly useful
for individual valves. Standards for NIBCO thermoplastic pipe in salt water disposal lines, crude oil piping, and low pressure
products specify requirements for plumbing and fluid handling gas gathering systems. Polypropylene has also proved to be an
applications. These standards do not address requirements for excellent material for laboratory and industrial drainage where
use in flue applications or venting of combustion gases. NIBCO mixtures of acids, bases, and solvents are involved. Polypropyl-
thermoplastic pipe products have not been evaluated for use ene is joined by the heat fusion process, threading or flanging.
in these applications. THERMOPLASTICS ARE NOT RECOM- At 180°F, or when threaded, PP should be used for drainage
MENDED FOR COMPRESSED AIR OR GAS SERVICE.* only at a pressure not exceeding 20 psi.
This guide considers the resistance of the total valve assembly
PVC — Polyvinyl Chloride Class 12454 conforming to ASTM
as well as the resistance of individual trim and fitting materials.
D1784. PVC is the most frequently specified of all thermoplas-
The rating assigned to the valve body plus trim combinations
tic materials. It has been used successfully for over 50 years
is always that of the least resistant part. In the cases where the
in such areas as chemical processing, industrial plating, chilled
valve body is the least resistant, there may be conditions under
water distribution, deionized water lines, chemical drainage, and
which the rate of corrosion is slow enough and the mass of the
irrigation systems. PVC is characterized by high physical prop-
body large enough to be usable for a period of time. Such use
erties and resistance to corrosion and chemical attack by acids,
should always be determined by test before installation of the
alkalies, salt solutions, and many other chemicals. It is attacked,
component in a piping system.
however, by polar solvents such as ketones, some chlorinated
In the selection of a butterfly valve for use with a particular hydrocarbons and aromatics. The maximum service tempera-
chemical, the liner, disc, and stem must be resistant. All three ture of PVC is 140°F. With a design stress of 2000 psi, PVC has
materials should carry a rating of “A.” The body of a properly the highest long-term hydrostatic strength at 73°F of any of the
functioning metal butterfly valve is isolated from the chemicals major thermoplastics being used for piping systems. PVC is
being handled and need not carry the same rating. joined by solvent cementing, threading, or flanging.

* WARNING: Failure to follow these instructions could result in personal injury or property damage.
NIBCO INC. WORLD HEADQUARTERS • 1516 MIDDLEBURY ST. • ELKHART, IN 46516-4740 • USA • PH: 1.800.234.0227
TECH SERVICES PH: 1.888.446.4226 • FAX: 1.888.234.0557 • INTERNATIONAL OFFICE PH: +1.574.295.3327 • FAX: +1.574.295.3455 3
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Material Definitions
PVDF — Polyvinylidene Fluoride is a strong, tough and abra- GRAPHITE — Graphite is the packing and seal
sion-resistant fluorocarbon material. It resists distortion and re- material of choice for most fire-rated products, primarily
tains most of its strength to 280°F. It is chemically resistant to because of its high temperature rating of approximately 2000°F.
most acids, bases, and organic solvents and is ideally suited for Graphite has excellent chemical resistance, can retain com-
handling wet or dry chlorine, bromine and other halogens. No pressibility at all temperatures and has a low coefficient of fric-
othersolid thermoplastic piping components can approach the tion. Graphite is not recommended for use in strong oxidizing
combination of strength, chemical resistance and working tem- atmospheres.
peratures of PVDF. PVDF is joined by the heat fusion process,
threading or flanging. METALS USED IN VALVES & FITTINGS
EPDM — EPDM is a terpolymer elastomer made from ethylene- COPPER — Among the most important properties of wrot cop-
propylene diene monomer. EPDM has good abrasion and tear per materials are their thermal and electrical conductivity, corro-
resistance and offers excellent chemical resistance to a variety sion resistance, wear resistance, and ductility. Wrot copper per-
of acids and alkalines. It is susceptible to attack by oils and is forms well in high temperature applications and is easily joined by
not recommended for applications involving petroleum oils, soldering or brazing. Wrot copper is exclusively used for fittings.
strong acids, or strong alkalines. It has good ozone resistance.
BRONZE — One of the first alloys developed in the bronze age
It is fairly good with ketones and alcohols and has an excellent
is generally accepted as the industry standard for pressure-rated
temperature range from -20°F to 250°F.
bronze valves and fittings. Bronze has a higher strength than
POLYCHLOROPRENE (CR) — Polychloroprenes were one of pure copper, is easily cast, has improved machinability, and is
the first synthetic rubbers developed. Polychloroprene is an all- very easily joined by soldering or brazing. Bronze is very resis-
purpose polymer with many desirable characteristics and features tant to pitting corrosion, with general resistance to most chemi-
high resiliency with low compression set, flame resistance, and is cals less than that of pure copper.
animal and vegetable oil resistant. Polychloroprene is principally
SILICON BRONZE — Silicon bronze has the ductility of cop-
recommended for food and beverage service. Generally, polychlo-
per but much more strength. The corrosion resistance of sili-
roprene is not affected by moderate chemicals, fats, greases, and
con bronze is equal to or greater than that of copper. Com-
many oils and solvents. Polychloroprene is attacked by strong
oxidizing acids, most chlorinated solvents, esters, ketones, monly used as stem material in pressure-rated valves, silicon
aromatic hydrocarbons, and hydraulic fluids. Polychloroprene bronze has greater resistance to stress corrosion cracking than
has a moderate temperature range of -20°F to 160°F. common brasses.

ALUMINUM BRONZE — The most widely accepted disc mate-

NITRILE (NBR) — NBR is a general purpose oil-resistant poly-
rial used in butterfly valves, aluminum bronze is heat treatable
mer known as nitrile rubber. Nitrile is a copolymer of butadiene
and has the strength of steel. Formation of an aluminum oxide
and acrylonitrile and has a moderate temperature range of 20°F
layer on exposed surfaces makes this metal very corrosion resis-
to 180°F. Nitrile has good solvent, oil, water, and hydraulic fluid
tant. Not recommended for high pH wet systems.
resistance. It displays good compression set, abrasion resis-
tance and tensile strength. Nitrile should not be used in highly BRASS — Generally, brass has good corrosion resistance. Sus-
polar solvents such as acetone and methyl ethyl ketone, nor ceptible to de-zincification in specific applications; excel-
should it be used in chlorinated hydrocarbons, ozone or nitro lent machinability. Primary uses for wrot brass are for ball valve
hydrocarbons. stems and balls, and iron valve stems. A forging grade of brass
is used in ball valve bodies and end pieces.
FLUOROCARBON (FKM) — Fluorocarbon elastomers are in-
herently compatible with a broad spectrum of chemicals. Be- GRAY IRON — An alloy of iron, carbon and silicon, gray iron
cause of this extensive chemical compatibility, which spans is easily cast, and has good pressure tightness in the as-cast
considerable concentration and temperature ranges, fluorocar- condition. Gray iron has excellent dampening properties and is
bon elastomers have gained wide acceptance as a material of easily machined. It is standard material for bodies and bonnets
construction for butterfly valve o-rings and seats. Fluorocarbon of Class 125 and 250 iron body valves. Gray iron has corrosion
elastomers can be used in most applications involving mineral resistance that is better than steel in certain environments.
acids, salt solutions, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and petroleum
oils. They are particularly good in hydrocarbon service. Fluoro- DUCTILE IRON — Ductile iron has composition similar to gray
carbon elastomers have one of the broadest temperature ranges iron. Special treatment modifies metallurgical structure, which
of any of the elastomers, -20°F to 300°F; however, they are not yields higher mechanical properties; some grades are heat-treat-
suited for steam service. ed to improve ductility. Ductile iron has the strength properties of
steel using similar casting techniques to that of gray iron.
PTFE — Polytetrafluoroethylene has outstanding resistance to
chemical attack by most chemicals and solvents. PTFE has a
temperature rating of -20°F to 400°F in valve applications. PTFE,
a self-lubricating compound, is used as a seat material in ball
valves.
NIBCO INC. WORLD HEADQUARTERS • 1516 MIDDLEBURY ST. • ELKHART, IN 46516-4740 • USA • PH: 1.800.234.0227
4 TECH SERVICES PH: 1.888.446.4226 • FAX: 1.888.234.0557 • INTERNATIONAL OFFICE PH: +1.574.295.3327 • FAX: +1.574.295.3455
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A H E A D   O F   T H E   F L O W®

Material Definitions and Standards

CARBON STEEL — Carbon steel has very good mechanical temperature oxidation and has improved physical and mechani-
properties and is resistant to stress corrosion and sulfides. Car- cal properties over carbon steel. Most 400 series stainless steels
bon steel has high and low temperature strength, is very tough are heat-treatable. The most common applications in valves are
and has excellent fatigue strength. Mainly used in gate, globe, for stem material in butterfly valves and backseat bushings and
and check valves for applications up to 850°F, and in one-, two-, wedges in cast steel valves.
and three-piece ball valves.3%
316 STAINLESS STEEL — An alloy of iron, carbon, nickel, and
NICKEL IRON — 3% Nickel iron has improved corrosion resis- chromium, 316 stainless steel is nonmagnetic with more ductility
tance over gray and ductile iron. Higher temperature corrosion than 400SS. Austinetic in structure, 316 stainless steel has very
resistance and mechanical properties. Very resistant to oxidizing good corrosion resistance to a wide range of environments, is
atmospheres. not susceptible to stress corrosion cracking and is not affected
by heat treatment. Most common uses in valves are stem, body
NICKEL-PLATED DUCTILE IRON — Nickel coatings have re- and ball materials.
ceived wide acceptance for use in chemical processing. These
coatings have very high tensile strength, 50 to 225 ksi. To some 630 STAINLESS STEEL — 630 stainless steel is a martensitic
extent, the hardness of a material is indicative of its resistance to precipitation/age hardening stainless steel, offering high strength
abrasion and wear characteristics. Nickel plating is widely speci- and hardness. 630 SS withstands corrosive attack better than
fied as a disc coating for butterfly valves. any of the 400 series stainless steels, and in most conditions
its corrosion resistance closely approaches that of 300 series
400 SERIES STAINLESS STEEL — An alloy of iron, carbon, and stainless steel. 630 SS is primarily used as a stem material for
chromium, 400 series stainless steel is normally magnetic due to butterfly and ball valves.
its martensitic structure and iron content. It is resistant to high

MATERIAL DESIGNATIONS & ASTM STANDARDS

FOR LISTED VALVE METALS

Copper ASTM B75 Wrot & ASTM B88 Carbon Steel ASTM A216-Grade WCB Cast
ASTM A105 Forged
Bronze ASTM B61 Cast
ASTM A352-Grade LCB Cast
ASTM B62 Cast
ASTM B584, Alloy 844 3% Ni-Iron ASTM A126-Class B Modified
Silicon Bronze ASTM B98 Alloy B Ni-Plated Ductile Iron ASTM B320 Plating
ASTM B371 Wrot
400 Series Stainless Steel ASTM B582 Type 416 Wrot
Aluminum Bronze ASTM B148 Cast ASTM A217-Grade CA-15
ASTM B150 Rod ASTM A276 Type 410 Wrot
Brass ASTM B16 Wrot 316 Stainless Steel ASTM A276 Type 316
ASTM B124 Forged ASTM A351-Grade CF-8M
Gray Iron ASTM A126 Class B 630 Stainless Steel ASTM A564 Type 630
Ductile Iron ASTM A395 Heat Treated
ASTM A536 As Cast

NIBCO INC. WORLD HEADQUARTERS • 1516 MIDDLEBURY ST. • ELKHART, IN 46516-4740 • USA • PH: 1.800.234.0227
TECH SERVICES PH: 1.888.446.4226 • FAX: 1.888.234.0557 • INTERNATIONAL OFFICE PH: +1.574.295.3327 • FAX: +1.574.295.3455 5
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