Apollo Valve Materials Guide

Material selection is one of the most consequential decisions in valve specification. The wrong material means premature failure, contamination risk, or failed inspection. This guide covers the four primary Apollo valve body materials — bronze, brass, stainless steel, and carbon steel — and tells you exactly when to use each.

Bronze (C84400 / C89833)

Bronze is the standard body material for commercial plumbing ball valves in the United States. Apollo's 70-100, 77, 82, and 90-100 Series are bronze. Key properties:

• Excellent corrosion resistance in water service and most non-aggressive fluids
• NSF/ANSI 61 certification available — approved for potable water contact
• Lead-free alloys (C89833 dezincification-resistant) available for NSF/ANSI 372 compliance
• Working temperature range: -20°F to 400°F in standard configurations
• Not suitable for: ammonia, acetylene, high-concentration acids

Use bronze when: Commercial plumbing, domestic water, HVAC, general plumbing service, potable water systems, projects requiring NSF certification.

Brass (C36000 / C37700)

Brass is machined more easily than bronze and is used in some Apollo series including certain 77 Series ApolloPress and 90-100 Series configurations. Properties:

• Good corrosion resistance in water service
• Lower cost than bronze in some configurations
• Dezincification risk in aggressive water — use DZR brass or bronze in high-chloride environments
• NSF/ANSI 61 certified configurations available

Use brass when: Specified for ApolloPress press connections, low-chloride water systems, applications where the spec or project calls for brass specifically.

Stainless Steel (CF8M / 316 SS)

Apollo's stainless steel valve series (76, 86, 87A, 88A, 86V SmartPress) use CF8M — the cast equivalent of 316 stainless steel. Key properties:

• Excellent corrosion resistance in aggressive media including chlorides, acids, and caustics
• Rated to higher pressures than bronze — 1,000 WOG typical
• Temperature range: -50°F to 600°F in most configurations
• NSF/ANSI 61 certified configurations available
• Required for: chlorine, seawater, brine, many chemicals, food and pharmaceutical service
• Higher cost than bronze — use where corrosion resistance justifies the premium

Use stainless steel when: Chemical service, corrosive fluids, high-pressure service, food and pharmaceutical applications, marine environments, or when project spec calls for 316 SS.

Carbon Steel (WCB / A216)

Apollo's industrial ball valve series (83, 87A in CS configurations) and butterfly valve series (215, 230) use carbon steel body construction. Properties:

• High strength — suitable for high-pressure and high-temperature service
• 1,000 WOG cold working pressure in standard configurations
• Temperature range: -20°F to 800°F depending on trim and packing
• NOT suitable for potable water or corrosive fluids without coating
• Standard in oil and gas, petrochemical, steam, compressed air, and industrial process piping
• Requires paint or epoxy coating for exterior corrosion protection in wet environments

Use carbon steel when: Industrial process piping, steam systems, oil and gas, high-pressure/high-temperature service, or wherever CS is specified by the engineer of record.

Material Selection Quick Reference

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