Air Release Valve Longevity by Material: Stainless Steel, Ductile Iron, and More

Why Material Choice Matters

• Corrosion resistance: exposure to water chemistry, chlorination, or saline environments
• Mechanical strength: ability to withstand high pressures, stress, and temperature cycles
• Maintenance demand: coatings, re-lining, and inspection requirements
• Cost vs lifecycle: balancing upfront purchase price against replacement cycles

Stainless Steel Air Release Valves

• Longevity: Excellent — can last decades, especially in aggressive or coastal environments.
• Strengths: Corrosion-proof, wide operating range, low maintenance.
• Ideal For: Potable water, desalination plants, petrochemical, industrial, coastal.
• Considerations: Higher initial cost, but lowest long-term lifecycle cost.

Ductile Iron Air Release Valves

• Longevity: Very good — strong and durable when coatings remain intact.
• Strengths: High tensile strength, cost-effective, proven in municipal systems.
• Ideal For: Clean water distribution, irrigation, general infrastructure.
• Considerations: Coating damage shortens life; more frequent inspection needed.

Bronze Air Release Valves

• Longevity: Good — resistant to corrosion but softer metal than stainless steel.
• Strengths: Excellent for smaller valves and systems with moderate conditions.
• Ideal For: HVAC, small-scale water systems, light industrial use.
• Considerations: Can wear more quickly under high pressure or abrasive conditions.

Brass Air Release Valves

• Longevity: Fair — adequate for lower-pressure or smaller applications.
• Strengths: Easy to machine, cost-effective, compact designs.
• Ideal For: Building services, plumbing, small irrigation networks.
• Considerations: Not suitable for aggressive water chemistry or high-pressure pipelines.

Plastic (PVC, HDPE, Composite) Air Release Valves

• Longevity: Varies — excellent corrosion resistance, but mechanical limits.
• Strengths: Lightweight, corrosion-proof, affordable.
• Ideal For: Agricultural irrigation, low- to medium-pressure pipelines, chemical-resistant systems.
• Considerations: Not as strong under high pressure; UV exposure can degrade some plastics.

Longevity Comparison (At a Glance)

Summary

When comparing air release valve materials, longevity depends on environment and application:

Stainless Steel: Best for harsh, aggressive, or critical systems; longest service life.
Ductile Iron: Reliable and cost-effective for standard clean water; coating integrity is key.
Bronze/Brass: Suitable for smaller-scale or moderate systems; less durable under stress.
Plastics: Great corrosion resistance at lower pressures; best for irrigation or light-duty use.

 Bottom line: If longevity is your priority, stainless steel typically outperforms other materials. If budget drives your decision and water quality is controlled, ductile iron delivers excellent value.