This guide provides general information on types of ASCO valves that are available for most common corrosive and non-corrosive gases and liquids. This guide is not intended as a specific recommendation, factors beyond our control including, but not limited to, actual fluid, pressure, temperature, hazardous locations (explosion proof) or other factors that might be involved in the application, could affect valve operation and materials. Actual fluid is extremely important when elastomer (seal) options and other materials of construction are considered. NBR (Buna-N) is commonly referred to as nitrile rubber and is the standard elastomer for accomplishing resilient-type seating or sealing in ASCO valves.
| Fluids & Gases | Qualifying Service Information and Materials of Construction | Selection and Ordering Information |
Air
(Shop Air) | Standard compressed air systems.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves.
For synthetic diester lubricating oils FKM (viton) seals may be required. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Air Service |
Alcohol, Ethyl
(Denatured Alcohol) | A grain alcohol commonly used as solvent.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Water Service |
Alcohol, Methyl
(Methanol) | A flammable wood alcohol used in automotive antifreeze, general solvent.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves.
Where high purity of liquid is essential, stainless steel may be required. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Water Service |
| Argon | Commonly used as an inert shielding gas in welding equipment.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves.
Most other applications require stainless steel, specially cleaned to avoid contamination.
For liquid argon, see cryogenic valves. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Air Service
Solenoid Valves for Cryogenic Service |
Benzene
(Benzol) | Solvent used for waxes, resins, rubber, and other organic materials. Also, as a Fuel.
Standard catalog valves with FKM (viton) seals. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
| Butane | One of the principal LP gases. Used as fuel for household and other industrial purposes.
Also, a refrigerant and a propellant in aerosol cans.
Special construction required, see LP Gas valves for combustion service. | Solenoid Valves for Combustion Service |
Carbon Dioxide
(Gas or Liquid CO2) | Used in refrigeration, industrial, foods, carbonated beverages.
Also, used in fire extinguisher and gas welding equipment.
For gas pressure below 100 PSI, use standard catalog valves with NBR (buna-n) seals.
Above 100 PSI, use special designed valves for cryogenic service | General Service Solenoid Valves for Air Service
Solenoid Valves for Cryogenic Service |
Carbon Tetrachloride
(Carbona) | Also known as tetrachloromethane.
Used in metal degreasing, fire extinguishers, as a solvent and dry cleaning medium.
Standard catalog brass valves with FKM (viton seals) | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
| Cellulube | Phosphate ester lubrication fluids which are fire resistant.
Standard catalog valves with EPDM or PTFE seals. | Solenoid Valves for Hot Water Service |
| Diesel Fuel | Petroleum oil used as fuel for diesel engines. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
Ethylene Glycol
(Antifreeze) | Used in permanent antifreeze solutions, brake fluids and as a dye solvent.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Water Service |
Freon Solvents
(MF, TF, BF) | Commonly used in ultrasonic degreasers for removing oil, grease and dirt on metal parts.
Standard catalog valves with NBR (buna-n) seals. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Water Service |
| Gasoline | Standard catalog valves with FKM (viton) seals.
If MTBE additive is present, special seals may be required. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
| Helium | An inert gas used in heat treating, purging, and welding.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Air Service |
| Hydraulic Oil | Petroleum base only - viscosity usually 50 to 300 SSU.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves.
For fire resistant fluids see Pydraul, Cellulube, Skydrol. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Light Oil Service |
Jet Fuel
(JP1 through 8) | These fuels are used in jet engines and are petroleum products, similar to kerosene.
Standard catalog valves with FKM (viton) seals. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
| Kerosene | Generally used as a solvent for cleaning purpose and as a heating fuel. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
| LP gas | See "Propane" | Solenoid Valves for Combustion Service |
Liquid Natural Gas,
Nitrogen and Oxygen | Cryogenic valves. | Solenoid Valves for Cryogenic Service |
Methyl Ethyl Ketone
(MEK) | Used in lacquers, paint removers, cements and adhesives.Flammable liquid.
Standard catalog valves with EPDM or PTFE seals. | Solenoid Valves for Hot Water Service |
| Naphtha | A coal-tar solvent.
Standard catalog valves with NBR (buna-n) seals or viton seals. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Water Service |
| Natural Gas | Common heating and burner fuel.
Special designed valves for combustion service. | Solenoid Valves for Combustion Service |
| Nitrogen | An inert gas used in heat treating, purging and welding.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Air Service |
Oils, Lubricating
or Motor | Common motor oils known as SAE oils and synthetic lube oils, etc.
Standard catalog valves for 300 SSU maximum viscosity.
Some synthetic oils may require valves with FKM (viton) seals. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Light Oil Service
General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
| Oxygen, Gas | Fuels in furnaces, ovens, cutting torches, welding, and heat treating.
Contact with hydrocarbons will result in spontaneous combustion.
Metal body valves with FKM, CR, or neoprene seals.
All valves must be specially cleaned to avoid contamination with hydrocarbons. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Special Cleaning for Oxygen Service |
| Potassium Sulfate | Used in fertilizers. Also in aluminum and glass manufacturing.
Standard resilient seated stainless steel valves. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Water Service |
| Propane Gas | Principle LP gas used in grain dryers and a bottled gas for heating and cooking.
Special construction required.
Find valves for LP gas in the combustion section of catalog. | Solenoid Valves for Combustion Service |
Pydraul
(Monsanto) | Fire resistant hydraulic fluid.
Standard valves with FKM (viton) seals. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
| Skydrol | Fire resistant jet aircraft hydraulic fluid.
Standard valves with EPDM or PTFE seals. | Solenoid Valves for Hot Water Service |
| Steam Service | Special design valves with high temperature EPDM or PTFE seals.
Air actuated piston valves are also used for steam and hot water service. | Solenoid Valves for Steam Service
Stainless Air Actuated Piston Valves
Bronze Air Actuated Piston Valves |
| Stoddard Solvent | Dry-cleaning solvent.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Water Service |
Toluene
(Toluol) | Also called methyl benzene or methyl benzol.
Used in gasolines, paints, coatings, resins, etc. Flammable liquid.
Standard catalog valves with FKM (viton) seals. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
| Turpentine | Solvent or thinner for paints.
Standard catalog valves with FKM (viton) seals. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
| Vacuum | Vacuum service to 29"Hg. | Solenoid Valves for Vacuum Service |
| Vegetable Oils | Edible oils extracted from seeds, fruits, or plants, such as peanut oils, cottonseed oils, etc.
Standard resilient seated catalog valves. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Light Oil Service |
| Water, Boiler Feed | Commonly treated water with inhibitors to avoid corrosion of boiler tubes.
Standard stainless steel valves with FKM (viton) seals. | General Service Solenoid Valves with Viton Seals |
Water, Distilled
or Deionized | A purified water.
Standard stainless steel valves with EPDM or PTFE seals.
Air actuated piston valves are also used for water service. | Stainless Air Actuated Piston Valves
Bronze Air Actuated Piston Valves |
| Water, Fresh | Common water applications.
Standard resilient seated valves.
Aerated or acidic water may require stainless steel valves.
Air actuated piston valves are also used in water service applications, helps reduce water hammer. | General Service Solenoid Valves for Water Service
Stainless Air Actuated Piston Valves
Bronze Air Actuated Piston Valves |
| Water, Hot | Water above 180 degree F. Special high temperature EPDM or PTFE seals.
Air actuated piston valves are also used for hot water and steam applications. | Solenoid Valves for Hot Water Service
Stainless Air Actuated Piston Valves
Bronze Air Actuated Piston Valves |
