A wafer butterfly valve is a type of quarter-turn valve that regulates the flow of fluids in a pipeline. It's called a "wafer" valve due to its slim, wafer-like profile, allowing it to be installed between two flanges without the need for additional flange bolts.
The valve consists of a disc or "butterfly" that rotates around a central shaft. This disc is typically made of metal or a resilient material such as rubber or PTFE.
The valve body is usually constructed from materials like cast iron, ductile iron, stainless steel, or carbon steel. It features a slim profile, facilitating easy installation between flanges.

Compact Design: Wafer butterfly valves have a slim profile, making them easy to install and suitable for use in space-constrained areas.
Cost-Effective: Their simple design and construction result in lower material and manufacturing costs compared to other types of valves.
Quick Operation: Butterfly valves operate rapidly with a 90-degree rotation, allowing for efficient flow control and minimal downtime.
Open Position:
In the open position, the valve disc is rotated parallel to the flow direction, allowing fluid to pass through the valve with minimal obstruction.
The disc is mounted centrally in the valve body and is supported by a shaft running through its center.
When the valve is open, the disc is perpendicular to the shaft, creating an unobstructed flow path through the valve.
Flow Control:
To control the flow of fluid through the pipeline, the valve disc is rotated using the valve actuator. This actuator can be manual, electric, pneumatic, or hydraulic, depending on the application and control requirements.
As the disc is rotated, it moves away from the flow path, gradually obstructing the flow and reducing the flow rate through the valve.
Wafer butterfly valves are an essential component in many different types of piping systems. They provide efficient and reliable performance while also being relatively easy to install and operate. Understanding the basics of how they work and the features they possess will help you choose the right wafer butterfly valve for your application. Additionally, it is important to follow proper maintenance practices to ensure that your valve offers maximum performance and reliability. With regular inspections and proper operation techniques, you can get the most out of your wafer type butterfly valve for a long time to come.
Material of Wafer Butterfly Valve
Part |
Materials |
Body |
Ductile Iron |
Seat |
EPDM / BUNA / PTFE |
Disc |
Ductile Iron / 316 Stainless Steal / Bronze |
Seat |
BUNA / EPDM / PTFE |
Bushing |
PTFE |
O-Ring |
EPDM / BUNA |
Taper Pin |
316 Stainless Steel |
Stem |
416 Stainless Steel |