Upgrading brass and bronze ball valves with 316 stainless steel balls for enhanced durability and reliability

Aalberts integrated piping systems (IPS) has completed a strategic conversion of its Apollo brass and bronze ball valve portfolio to Type 316 stainless steel balls. This initiative enhances corrosion resistance, lifecycle performance, and sustainability across HVAC, steam, and industrial applications while simplifying product selection and inventory management.

The Apollo stainless steel ball conversion project discontinued the manufacture of chrome-plated brass and bronze balls in early 2025 and standardised production on 316 stainless steel for all brass and bronze ball valve models manufactured in Pageland, South Carolina.

Executed as a running change and completed in July 2025, the project was driven by SKU consolidation and material standardization to deliver clear benefits for distributors, contractors, and end users. Type 316 stainless steel provides improved corrosion resistance compared to chrome-plated brass, particularly in steam, cooling water, heating, and industrial service, resulting in longer service life, reduced maintenance, and fewer replacements.

Longer-lasting valves reduce resource consumption by lowering the frequency of new valve production, raw material use, and transportation demands, while consolidated SKUs support more efficient manufacturing, quality control, and supply chain planning.

All Apollo brass and bronze ball valve models manufactured in Pageland, SC, are included in the conversion, with three flagship series serving as primary platforms for the upgraded 316 stainless steel ball design. The Apollo 70 series remains a widely used general-purpose bronze ball valve for vacuum, steam, cooling, and heating service, featuring heavy-duty construction, RPTFE seats, MPTFE stem packing, an adjustable stem packing gland, a blowout-proof stem design, 100 percent factory testing, and USA manufacturing supporting Build America, Buy America (BABA) Act and Buy America Act (BAA) compliance.

The Apollo 77C series bronze ball valves serve non-potable mechanical and industrial systems, including vacuum, steam, cooling, and heating; they feature a dezincification-resistant bronze body, RPTFE seats and seals, a full-port solid ball, adjustable stem packing, a blowout-proof stem, and 100 percent factory testing, with 316 stainless steel balls further strengthening their corrosion resistance profile.

The Apollo 77F-100 series forged brass, full-port ball valves are engineered for HVAC, fuel gas, irrigation, fire protection, and general flow control applications, combining a heavy-pattern forged design, corrosion-resistant materials, premium RPTFE seats and packing, adjustable stem packing, a blowout-proof stem, silicone-free assembly, and 100 percent factory testing, with 2-1/2 inch to 4 inch models featuring 316 stainless steel ball and stem as standard and expanded 316 stainless coverage across the line to reinforce durability and consistency.