Valves · Ball Valves
Stainless Steel Ball Valves — Shut-off Valves for Threaded and Flanged Connections
When the media is aggressive, temperatures fluctuate, or the system needs to be cleaned, the material determines the service life of the shut-off valve. That's why stainless steel ball valves are the benchmark in chemical processing, process engineering, food production, and machine and plant construction: corrosion-resistant, mechanically robust, with low flow resistance at full bore and a clear 90° switching motion. At STASTO you'll find a complete lineup — from two-piece female-threaded valves to three-piece serviceable designs and flanged ball valves, all the way to high-pressure ball valves and ready-configured units with pneumatic rotary or electric actuators.
Material, design, actuator from a single source
Your Advantages
Why choose stainless steel ball valves from STASTO
Material grade instead of a generic term, a design suited to your maintenance concept, and one point of contact for valve, actuator and accessories.
Materials matched to the media
Depending on the series, body and ball are available in 1.4401, 1.4404, 1.4571 or as a cast body in 1.4408; flanged versions in series 720000 are made from 1.4301. The exact material combination is stated in every item description — so you can compare material grade against material grade.
Two-piece or three-piece — depending on your maintenance concept
Two-piece ball valves such as series 701000 and 704000/700000 are compact and competitively priced. Three-piece designs in series 710000, 710009 and 710060 can be opened while installed; seals and ball can be replaced without removing the valve from the pipeline.
Full bore as standard
The threaded series are mostly full-bore, i.e. with a ball bore at nominal size — low pressure drop and, depending on the design, pig-able. Reduced bores as well as L- or T-port ball designs are offered by the multi-port series BA037/BA038.
From manual lever to automated shut-off valve
The same ball valve is available manually or as a unit with pneumatic rotary actuator (series BAB1, BAC1, BAC4, BAC5, BAL1/BAT1) or electric actuator (series 8E004, 8E014, 8E028/8E029, 8E032, 8E033) — optionally with mounted NAMUR solenoid valve, coil, and connector.
Selection guide
Choosing a Stainless Steel Ball Valve — What Matters
Material, design, seal package, and connection type together determine whether the valve holds up in operation. An overview of the key selection criteria.
Materials and Material Numbers
- 1.4401 / 1.4404
- Austenitic stainless steels for body and ball in several threaded series; 1.4401 polished, e.g. in the two-piece Series 701000.
- 1.4408
- Cast body material, used among others in the 3-way Series BA037/BA038 with ball in 1.4401.
- 1.4571
- Titanium-stabilized variant, e.g. in high-pressure series such as BA102 combined with 1.4404.
- 1.4301
- Material of the flanged ball valves in Series 720000 with full bore.
Design and Connection
- Two-piece
- Compact female-threaded design, e.g. Series 700000/704000 and 701000 — space-saving and economical.
- Three-piece
- Can be opened in the installed state, ball and seals replaceable — series 710000, 710009 and 710060.
- Flanged
- For larger nominal sizes and flanged pipelines, e.g. series 720000 with PN 16 and nominal sizes 15 to 150 mm.
- Multi-port
- 3-way ball valves BA037/BA038, triple-seal design, L- or T-port ball bore, pressure range 0…64 bar.
Seal set and operating conditions
- PTFE / PTFE-FKM
- Standard combination for liquids, gases and compressed air in the standard series.
- Steam version
- Series 710060 with reinforced seal, medium temperature up to +198 °C, steam pressure range 0…15 bar.
- Carbon-graphite-reinforced PTFE
- For demanding applications, e.g. variant BA469-34N-L-AH3C with 0…138 bar, Class 800, anti-static, fire-safe and ATEX marking — features apply per variant, not across the board.
- Low dead space
- Series 710009 with low-dead-space or dead-space-free seal geometry for cleaning-critical systems.
Automation
- Double-acting
- Pneumatic rotary actuators of the BAB1, BAC1, BAC4, BAC5 series for defined opening and closing, typical control pressures from 5.5 bar.
- Single-acting
- Spring return for defined fail-safe position on compressed air failure, incl. series BAL1/BAT1.
- Electric actuator
- Series 8E004, 8E014, 8E028/8E029, 8E032 and 8E033 for systems without a compressed air network; voltage, run time and feedback contacts vary by actuator type.
- Control and feedback accessories
- NAMUR solenoid valve, coil, EN 175301-803 connector and limit switch feedback available as optional accessories.
Comparing designs
Two-piece, three-piece, flanged or high-pressure
Four body styles, four application profiles: the overview matches connection type, serviceability and typical series to each other.
| 2-piece threaded | 3-piece threaded | Flanged | High pressure | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Series | 700000/704000, 701000 | 710000, 710009, 710060 | 720000, 721000, 760000 | BA102, BA234 |
| Connection | Female thread | Female thread | Flange, e.g. PN 16 | depending on design |
| Maintenance | Replacement of the valve | can be opened while installed | pipeline-bound via flange | coordinate based on application |
| Pressure range (example) | 0…40 bar (704000) | depending on series, steam 0…15 bar (710060) | PN 16 (720000) | up to 350 bar (BA102) |
| Material (example) | 1.4401 polished (701000) | 1.4401/1.4404 depending on series | 1.4301 (720000) | 1.4571/1.4404 (BA102) |
| Strength | compact and economical | cleanable and serviceable | large nominal sizes up to 150 mm | high pressure ratings |
Product Range
Designs and Product Range
From the manual threaded ball valve to the automated flanged valve — this is where you'll find the right product category.
Applications
Typical applications
Where stainless steel ball valves show their strengths — and which design criterion takes the lead in each case.
Chemical and process engineering
Aggressive and changing media call for defined material pairings. Austenitic materials such as 1.4401, 1.4404 or 1.4571 and PTFE-based seals are key here. Depending on the zone and operator requirements, antistatic, fire-safe or ATEX-marked variants may be required — check the article description for which variant meets your requirement.
Food, beverage and pure media plants
Cleanability is the deciding design criterion. Three-piece ball valves with full bore can be opened for inspection; series with low-dead-space or dead-space-free seals such as 710009 reduce buildup in the seal area. For CIP/SIP processes, please provide temperature and media details.
Steam and hot water circuits
For steam applications, seal material and pressure-temperature behavior are decisive. The three-piece Series 710060 is specifically designed for steam: PTFE-reinforced/FKM, media temperature up to +198 °C, steam pressure range 0…15 bar. Nominal size and installation length vary by size.
Compressed air, vacuum and technical gases
In pneumatics, stainless steel ball valves serve as shut-off and maintenance components in corrosive environments or where oil- and grease-free requirements apply. Matching fittings and couplings in 1.4404, 1.4305 or 1.4571 can be found in the pneumatics range.
Hydraulics, test benches and dosing technology
Here, pressure rating and switching frequency determine the choice. High-pressure series with pressure ranges up to 350 bar, combined with double-acting pneumatic rotary actuators, enable remote-controlled shut-off in test cycles.
Machine and plant engineering, OEM
For series-produced machines, reproducible configurations are essential: same series, same actuator, same feedback across all production batches. We save the combination as an article so your bill of materials stays consistent.
Procurement
Availability, inquiry and delivery
Availability differs by series, nominal size and version. Common thread sizes of the standard series are usually available for short-term dispatch; special materials, large nominal sizes and actuator-configured units are scheduled on a project basis.
Availability and lead time
Viewable per item in the shop or on request — please always state the item number.
Configured units
Valve, actuator, solenoid valve and position feedback are assembled to order; delivery time on request.
Documentation and Special Versions
Material and inspection certificates, special seals as well as versions to customer plant standards are clarified on a project basis — please state this in your inquiry.
Spare Parts and Framework Requirements
Request maintenance kits for three-piece series with series and nominal size details. For recurring requirements, we store your configuration so reorders remain identical.
How we work
Three steps to the right valve
From operating data to configured unit — with technical guidance from valve specialists.
Provide operating data
Medium, pressure, temperature, nominal size, and connection type are enough as a starting point. For clean media or steam applications, please also specify cleaning method and cycles.
Assign series and material
We assign the design type, material number, and seal package and check whether a two-piece or three-piece, flanged or high-pressure version is suitable.
Configure actuator and accessories
On request, we assemble the valve, pneumatic rotary or electric actuator, NAMUR solenoid valve, and limit switch feedback as one unit and save it for reorders.
Frequently Asked Questions
Stainless Steel Ball Valve FAQs
Materials, designs, steam, and automation — answered briefly.
Which stainless steel grade is suitable for ball valves?
Depending on the series, ball valves are made from the austenitic grades 1.4401, 1.4404, 1.4571, the cast housing grade 1.4408, and 1.4301. The combination of housing and ball material is specified in each product description — so you can compare material grade against material grade instead of a generic "stainless steel" label.
What is the difference between two-piece and three-piece ball valves?
Two-piece ball valves are compact and cost-effective, while three-piece designs can be opened and serviced while installed in the line. Two-piece versions are found in series 700000/704000 and 701000, while three-piece versions are available in series 710000, 710009, and 710060, where the ball and seals are replaceable.
Are there stainless steel ball valves for steam?
Yes, the three-piece series 710060 is specifically designed for steam: reinforced PTFE/FKM seal, medium temperature up to +198 °C, and a steam pressure range of 0…15 bar. Nominal size and face-to-face length vary by size.
What pressure can stainless steel ball valves withstand?
The pressure rating depends on the series: threaded series, for example, range from 0…40 bar (series 704000) to 0…105 bar (series 701000), while flanged versions in series 720000 are rated PN 16. High-pressure series such as BA102 feature housing and ball in 1.4571/1.4404 for liquids up to 350 bar.
Can a stainless steel ball valve be automated?
Yes, the same ball valves are available as complete units with pneumatic rotary actuators or electric actuators. Pneumatic options include series BAB1, BAC1, BAC4, BAC5, and BAL1/BAT1, while electric options include series 8E004, 8E014, 8E028/8E029, 8E032, and 8E033 — optionally with NAMUR control valve, solenoid coil, and limit switch feedback.
What does full bore mean on a ball valve?
Full bore means the ball bore matches the nominal diameter of the pipeline, keeping pressure loss minimal and, depending on the design, making the valve pig-able. Most threaded series are designed this way; reduced bore as well as L- or T-bore balls are offered by the multiport series BA037/BA038.
Which ball valves are suitable for food-grade and high-purity media systems?
For cleaning-critical systems, three-piece full-bore ball valves that can be opened and inspected are the right choice. Series with low-dead-space or dead-space-free seal geometry, such as 710009, reduce buildup in the sealing area; for CIP/SIP processes, please provide temperature and media details.
Are antistatic, fire-safe, or ATEX versions available?
Such features are variant-specific and don't apply across the entire category by default. The BA469-34N-L-AH3C variant, for example, is designed with carbon-graphite-reinforced PTFE, 0…138 bar, Class 800, antistatic, fire-safe, and ATEX-marked — please check the specific item description or contact us.
You may also need
Related product ranges
Complementary categories for actuation, feedback, and connection technology for the stainless steel ball valve.
Next Step
Find the Right Stainless Steel Ball Valve
Tell us the media, pressure, temperature, and connection — we'll match the series, material, and seal package and, if needed, configure the complete unit with actuator.