What is a Rubber Seated Butterfly Valve

2021-08-14

For the last several decades, butterfly valve technology has become increasingly common. Butterfly valves are now used in the processes of virtually every chemical plant. What started off as an ideal quarter-turn function for water applications became a versatile valve made from various materials that are appropriate for most kinds of fluids and media.

Rubber seated butterfly valves boast a tight shut-off and are tested to meet specific industry standards. With testing, we can be sure that they will serve reliably for safe and smooth operation. 

For quality control and planning purposes, it’s useful to understand all the parts involved with a rubber seated butterfly valve. In this guide, we’ll go over what is included with a butterfly valve installed and the role each part has.

A butterfly valve regulates fluid movement with a rotating disc that securely closes off the flow. This valve is like a ball valve with its quick shut-off functionality. What differentiates this valve from a ball valve is that its disc is always present in the flow to induce a pressure drop. 

In addition, attention should be paid to the environmental conditions of its use, and its use state is greatly affected by its use environment. Under normal conditions, special attention should be paid to the use of ball valves and butterfly valves in special environments, especially electric ball valves and butterfly valves.

Rotation turns the disc either perpendicular or parallel to the media flow. The advantage of butterfly valves compared to ball valves is that they are less expensive, and because they are lighter weight they require less support.

Butterfly valve design varies from zero-offset valves to triple offset (high performance) valves. A zero-offset valve is known by a few names: “concentric,” “resilient seated butterfly valve”, or “rubber seated butterfly valve.”

AWWA valves are an example of how rubber seated butterfly valves are ideal in function. AWWA parts have to meet specific standards and rubber seated butterfly valves work well because they are leak-proof, corrosion-resistant, and low-maintenance.


We use cookies to offer you a better browsing experience, analyze site traffic and personalize content. By using this site, you agree to our use of cookies. Privacy Policy