FAQ

US Valve assembles and tests its valves at its facility in Linthicum, Maryland, in the United States. Champion Valve, US Valve's sister wafer check valve brand, is also based in Linthicum Heights, Maryland.

Yes. US Valve is part of IDEX Performance Pneumatics, a division of IDEX Corporation. IDEX Corporation is a $3.5 billion S&P 500 global manufacturer with operations in more than 20 countries. IDEX’s backing provides US Valve with global supply chain access, engineering depth, and manufacturing capacity to support programs at any scale.

Champion Valve is US Valve's dedicated wafer check valve brand and operates as a sister company within the IDEX Performance Pneumatics family. Champion Valve specializes in wafer-style check valves from 1/8 inch to 72 inches, available in dual-disc, single-disc, and axial-flow designs. Both brands are available through usvalve.com.

US Valve serves data centers, water and wastewater treatment, power generation, hospitals and medical gas pipeline systems, oil and gas, and industrial applications, including vacuum systems, compressed air, pneumatic conveying, petrochemicals, pulp and paper, marine, and food processing.

Yes. US Valve assembles and tests check valves at its US facility and maintains AIS (American Iron and Steel) and ARRA compliant options for domestic project requirements. Champion Valve is located in Linthicum Heights, MD. Both brands are US-based.

US Valve manufactures full-port check valves in seven connection styles: Male NPT (1-inch through 12-inch), Female NPT, Flanged (up to 20-inch, classes 125 and 150), Grooved End (1-inch through 12-inch, Victaulic® compatible), Wafer (up to 36-inch in three body styles), Plain End, and Deep Well (up to 12-inch). US Valve also manufactures ANSI Dual Plate Wafer Check Valves up to 60 inches in classes 125 through 1500, and Medical Gas Check Valves conforming to NFPA 99-2018 section 5.1.4.11.

US Valve's ANSI Dual Plate Wafer Check Valves are available up to 60 inches in pressure classes 125, 150, 300, 600, 900, and 1500. Through Champion Valve, dual-disc check valves are available up to 72 inches (Model CVR). Elastomer hinge wafer check valves are available up to 36 inches. Elastomer hinge flanged check valves are available up to 20 inches.

US Valve’s full-port elastomer-hinge check valve design replaces the conventional mechanical hinge mechanism with a polymer reinforced rubber hinge that functions as both the hinge and sealing mechanism. The seal is created directly onto the inner wall of the pipe, without a seat in the flow path. This eliminates the seat restriction that conventional check valves permanently present in the flow path, delivering the lowest pressure drop in the industry, higher usable Cv, and eliminating water hammer. The elastomer hinge valve line is optionally available internally retained, eliminating hardware interrupting the pressure boundary and the associated leak paths they create.

An elastomer-hinge check valve replaces the conventional mechanical hinge mechanism with a polymer reinforced rubber hinge that functions as both the hinge and sealing mechanism. The seal is created directly onto the inner wall of the pipe, without a seat in the flow path. When the valve opens, the hinge swings completely out of the flow path, leaving the full bore unobstructed. This delivers higher Cv, lower pressure drop, and quieter operation compared to poppet-style designs. The short closure angle of the elastomer hinge also eliminates water hammer in liquid systems.

The IRX is US Valve's internally retained check valve, protected by US Patent No. 12,422,051 and international patent WO2025/128473. The IRX uses an internally retained valve mechanism that eliminates all external connection points, creating zero external leak paths. The IRX delivers 2x to 6x higher usable Cv than conventional poppet-style check valves across 1-inch through 6-inch sizes. It is engineered specifically for data center CDU liquid cooling loops and other applications where zero external leak paths and a high flow coefficient are critical.

A wafer check valve mounts between pipe flanges without the extra pipe length required by flanged valves. US Valve wafer check valves are available up to 36 inches in three body styles: solid body, H-body, and extended body. They are lightweight and easy to install and replace. Champion Valve (Model CVR, CVL, SDX, SDS, NZW, SDR) offers wafer-style check valves up to 72 inches.

A dual-plate check valve uses two spring-loaded half-disc plates that open with forward flow and close quickly when flow reverses. US Valve ANSI Dual Plate Wafer Check Valves are designed to API 594 and tested to API 598, available in sizes up to 60 inches and in classes 125 through 1500. A retainerless body design is available for hydrocarbon and chemical processing where no body-wall penetration is acceptable. Champion Valve's CVR (1.5-inch to 72-inch) and CVL (2-inch to 24-inch) are dual-disc wafer check valves.

A grooved-end check valve uses a rolled groove at the pipe end, manufactured to the ANSI/AWWA C606 standard for grooved and shouldered joints, to accept a mechanical coupling instead of threads or flanges. US Valve grooved-end check valves (1-inch through 12-inch) are manufactured to ANSI/AWWA C606 and are compatible with Victaulic® and other equivalent coupling systems. The coupling joint provides three advantages: faster installation and removal for in-line service, vibration attenuation between the valve and rotating equipment, and thermal expansion relief in systems with temperature variation.

A deep well check valve is engineered to support the weight of the pipe column and the pump in a deep well pump installation. US Valve deep well check valves are available up to 12 inches and are designed to support 1,000 feet of pipe plus the pump weight. Stainless steel versions are NSF 61 certified for potable water well applications.

US Valve check valves range from 1/8 inch to 72 inches, depending on the valve type. Male NPT check valves: 1-inch to 12-inch. Flanged check valves: up to 20 inches. Grooved end: 1-inch to 12-inch. Wafer: up to 36 inches. Deep well: up to 12 inches. ANSI Dual Plate: up to 60 inches. Champion Valve CVR dual disc: 1.5-inch to 72-inch. Medical gas check valves and ball valves: 1/8-inch to 4-inch.

US Valve check valves are available in carbon steel with zinc dichromate plating (standard), 316 stainless steel, cast iron, brass, aluminum, and ductile iron (ANSI dual plate). Internal seals and elastomers are available in Buna N (NBR), EPDM, Viton, Silicone, and PTFE (Teflon). The specific combination is matched to the application's process media, temperature, and pressure requirements.

US Valve full-port check valve can be installed in any orientation, including horizontal, vertical upflow, and vertical downflow. This provides flexibility in system design without requiring a specific valve orientation for correct operation.

US Valve makes three types of ball valves. Industrial ball valves: full port, 1/4-inch through 4-inch NPT, available in 600 WOG brass, 400 WOG nickel-plated brass, and 1000 WOG 316 stainless steel, designed and tested to MSS-SP110. Medical gas ball valves: 1/2-inch through 4-inch, NFPA 99-2018 compliant, three-piece forged brass, type-K copper tube ends, working pressure to 600 psig. Compact vertical three-piece medical gas ball valves for zone box installations.

A full port ball valve has a ball with a bore diameter that matches the pipe's inside diameter. This means no restriction is introduced at the valve when it is open, resulting in lower pressure drop and less turbulence than a standard (reduced) port ball valve. US Valve industrial ball valves use a full port design across all sizes and materials.

Yes. US Valve medical gas ball valves conform to NFPA 99-2018, section 5.1.4.3. They feature a three-piece forged brass body with a chrome-plated brass ball and Teflon seats and stem seals. Compatible gases: oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, CO2, helium, nitrogen, and vacuum. Working pressure up to 600 psig. Type-K copper tube extensions and dual gage ports are included. All are oxygen cleaned per CGA G-4.1 and individually bagged. Available in 1/2-inch through 4-inch sizes in standard and compact vertical three-piece configurations.

MSS-SP110 is the Manufacturers Standardization Society standard for ball valves, covering design, materials, dimensions, pressure-temperature ratings, and testing requirements. US Valve industrial ball valves are designed and tested to MSS-SP110, ensuring consistent performance and interchangeability across the product line.

Pressure drop is the reduction in fluid pressure as it passes through the valve. Every unit of pressure drop across a check valve must be overcome by the pump, blower, or compressor moving the fluid. Higher pressure drop means those systems work harder, consume more energy, and wear faster. In continuous-duty applications such as aeration blowers at water treatment plants, condenser exhausters at power plants, or compressed air systems, the energy cost of high pressure drop compounds with every hour of operation over the life of the installation.

Cv is the flow coefficient of a valve, representing the volume of water in US gallons per minute that flows through the valve at a 1 PSI pressure drop at 60°F. A higher Cv indicates the valve allows more flow with less restriction. US Valve full-port elastomer hinge check valves deliver 2x to 6x higher usable Cv than conventional poppet-style check valves across 1-inch through 6-inch sizes. 'Usable Cv' refers to performance under actual operating conditions across the full flow range, not at a single theoretical maximum.

Water hammer is a pressure surge or wave that occurs when flow in a liquid system is suddenly stopped or reversed, typically when a check valve closes abruptly. The pressure spike travels through the piping system, stressing connections, damaging fittings, and shortening system life. US Valve's elastomer hinge check valves close very quickly due to their short closure stroke. This prevents the water column from building reverse velocity, which minimizes water hammer. This is a design feature of every elastomer hinge check valve in the US Valve product range.

Yes. US Valve full-port check valves are compatible with VFD pumping systems. VFD systems vary pump speed across a wide flow range. The full-port elastomer hinge design maintains low pressure drop throughout the variable-speed range, not just at the design point. This preserves system efficiency even when the VFD operates at reduced speeds.

Aeration blowers are typically the single largest energy consumers at a water treatment plant. A check valve with a high pressure drop adds resistance the blower must overcome on every cycle. Over a 20-year installation lifecycle, that added resistance translates directly into higher electricity costs. US Valve full-port flanged check valves (up to 20 inches) are widely used on aeration blowers because the full-port elastomer hinge design delivers the lowest available pressure drop, reducing blower energy requirements for the same dissolved oxygen output.

Yes. US Valve check valves are NSF 61 and NSF 372 certified in seven connection configurations: Male NPT (MNPT), wafer, grooved end, plain end, deep well, Female NPT (FNPT), and flanged. All NSF-certified configurations use a 316 stainless steel body, 316 stainless steel internals, and an EPDM seal. NSF 61 certifies valves for health effects when in contact with drinking water. NSF 372 certifies lead-free compliance. These valves are safe for water treatment, purification, distribution systems, and deep-well applications.

Yes. US Valve ANSI Dual Plate Wafer Check Valves are designed to API 594 and tested to API 598. They are available in carbon steel, 316 stainless steel, and ductile iron, up to 60 inches, in pressure classes 125, 150, 300, 600, 900, and 1500. A retainerless body design is available for critical hydrocarbon and chemical processing applications. Champion Valve's Model NZW is also an API 594 axial flow check valve.

Yes. US Valve medical gas ball valves conform to NFPA 99-2018 section 5.1.4.3, and medical gas check valves conform to NFPA 99-2018 section 5.1.4.11. All medical gas valves are oxygen cleaned per CGA G-4.1 and individually bagged. Medical gas ball valves are available in 1/2-inch through 4-inch sizes with type-K copper tube extensions and dual gage ports. Medical gas check valves are in-line serviceable and field-removable without cutting the pipeline.

ISO 9001:2015 is the international standard for quality management systems, covering documentation, auditing, process control, and continuous improvement. US Valve is ISO 9001:2015 certified across all products and processes. The certification is documented, independently audited, and up to date. Quality records are available for specification review, regulatory submission, and procurement approval.

Yes. US Valve offers AIS (American Iron and Steel) and ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) compliant valve options for domestic project requirements. These designations apply to federally funded infrastructure projects that require domestic steel and manufacturing compliance.

CGA G-4.1 is the Compressed Gas Association standard for oxygen cleaning, specifying procedures for removing hydrocarbons and other contaminants from valves and components used in oxygen service. All US Valve medical gas ball and check valves are oxygen cleaned per CGA G-4.1 and then individually bagged and packaged to maintain cleanliness until installation. This requirement applies to any valve used in an oxygen pipeline under NFPA 99-2018.

Yes. US Valve's IRX check valve (US Patent No. 12,422,051) is engineered specifically for CDU (coolant distribution unit) liquid-cooling loops in data centers. The IRX's internally retained design eliminates all external seat connection points, creating zero external leak paths near active server infrastructure. High usable Cv, low pressure drop, and exact configuration to CDU system geometry and connection type make the IRX the preferred check valve for liquid-cooling applications.

A CDU (coolant distribution unit) is the hardware that circulates cooling fluid through liquid cooling loops attached to high-density server infrastructure, including GPU clusters. Check valves in CDU loops control flow direction and prevent backflow. A check valve with external leak paths poses a contamination risk to the server hardware the loop is designed to protect. A check valve with high pressure drop forces cooling pumps to work harder to maintain target flow rates, reducing system efficiency and thermal margin. The IRX check valve addresses both risks.

The IRX delivers 2x to 6x higher usable Cv than conventional poppet-style check valves across 1-inch through 6-inch sizes. The internally retained seat eliminates external connection points that create leak paths in conventional check valves. The IRX is compatible with VFD (variable frequency drive) cooling pumps and maintains its flow advantage across the full variable-speed range. The design is protected by US Patent No. 12,422,051 and international patent WO2025/128473 — no competitor can replicate it.

Yes. US Valve check valves are NSF 61 and NSF 372 certified for potable water contact in seven connection configurations: MNPT, wafer, grooved end, plain end, deep well, FNPT, and flanged. All NSF-certified options use a 316 stainless steel body and EPDM seal. These valves are lead-free certified and safe for water treatment, purification, and distribution systems.

US Valve flanged check valves (up to 20 inches) and Male NPT check valves (up to 12 inches) are widely used on aeration blowers in water treatment plants. The full-port elastomer hinge design delivers the lowest available pressure drop, reducing the horsepower required by aeration blowers to achieve target dissolved oxygen output. NSF 61 and NSF 372-certified options are available for systems with potable water contact requirements.

Yes. US Valve deep-well check valves are engineered to support the weight of 1,000 feet of pipe plus the pump. Available up to 12 inches. 316 stainless-steel versions are NSF 61 certified for potable water well applications. These valves provide low head loss in the pump column, reducing energy consumption and extending pump service life.

US Valve supplies check valves for condenser exhausters, vacuum priming pumps, fans, blowers, and large-bore plant piping across power generation facilities. ANSI dual-plate wafer check valves are available up to 60 inches in API 594- and API 598-compliant configurations for high-pressure, large-bore steam and process piping. Full-port flanged check valves up to 20 inches are used for blowers and fans. Champion Valve models CVR, SDS, NZW, and SDX are commonly specified for power plant applications.

US Valve ANSI Dual Plate Wafer Check Valves are available up to 60 inches in pressure classes 125, 150, 300, 600, 900, and 1500. Champion Valve Model CVR dual-disc check valves are available up to 72 inches. These are the standard check valve configurations for large-bore applications in power plants, refineries, and industrial facilities.

Yes. US Valve medical gas ball valves conform to NFPA 99-2018 section 5.1.4.3, and medical gas check valves conform to section 5.1.4.11. Both are oxygen cleaned per CGA G-4.1 and individually bagged. Medical gas ball valves include type-K copper tube extensions and dual gage ports as standard. They are available in standard three-piece and compact vertical three-piece configurations for zone box installations within a single stud cavity.

US Valve medical gas ball valves are compatible with oxygen, nitrous oxide, medical air, CO2, helium, nitrogen, and vacuum service at working pressures up to 600 psig. The Teflon seats and stem seals are chemically compatible with all standard medical gas types.

The compact vertical three-piece medical gas ball valve is a space-saving design for zone box installations in hospital medical gas pipeline systems. Its compact vertical design fits within a single stud cavity, making it suitable for wall-mounted zone boxes with limited space. It conforms to NFPA 99-2018 and includes dual gage ports for system monitoring.

Yes. US Valve medical gas check valves conforming to NFPA 99-2018 section 5.1.4.11 feature an in-line, serviceable design. The valve body is field-removable without cutting the pipeline. There are no threaded connections in the design. This allows maintenance and inspection to be performed in place, minimizing disruption to the medical gas system and the clinical environment it serves.

Yes. US Valve ANSI Dual Plate Wafer Check Valves are designed to API 594 and tested to API 598. They are available in carbon steel, 316 stainless steel, and ductile iron, up to 60 inches, in pressure classes 125, 150, 300, 600, 900, and 1500. Champion Valve's Model NZW is also an API 594 axial-flow check valve available in classes 150 through 2500.

A standard dual-plate check valve body uses external hardware (center pin and limiter bar) that penetrates the body wall, creating potential leak paths from the inside to the outside. A retainerless design uses an internal sleeve instead, avoiding any body wall penetrations. There are no external connection points. This design is used in critical hydrocarbon processing, chemical service, and any application where fire hazards, environmental regulations, or process safety requirements prohibit body wall penetrations.

Contact US Valve directly at usvalve.com to request a quote. You can submit a project specification online, request a quote for a standard configuration, or talk to an engineer to discuss your application before specifying. Most standard configurations are quoted and ship within one to two days.

Yes. US Valve builds custom check and ball valves to specification. Custom configurations can include non-standard sizes, unusual material combinations, custom elastomers for specific process media, non-standard end-to-end dimensions for space-constrained installations, and custom actuated and non-actuated valve assemblies.

Champion Valve (formerly Champion Valves Inc., wafercheck.com) is the wafer check valve specialist brand within the US Valve and IDEX Performance Pneumatics family. Based in Linthicum Heights, MD, Champion Valve has decades of experience designing and manufacturing wafer-style check valves for demanding industrial applications. Champion Valve products are available through usvalve.com.

Champion Valve offers eight wafer check valve models across three families. Dual Disc: CVR (1.5-inch to 72-inch, ASME 125-2500) and CVL (2-inch to 24-inch, ASME 150, rubber-lined). Single Disc: SDS (2-inch to 24-inch, API 6D short pattern), SDX (2-inch to 36-inch, external spring), and SDR (2-inch to 12-inch, spring-loaded, for pumps and compressors). Axial Flow: NZW (2-inch to 12-inch, API 594) and SCT (1/8-inch to 2-inch, threaded end, non-slam, gas/liquid/steam).

The Champion Valve CVR is a wafer-style dual-disc check valve. It features a lightweight, versatile design, delivers zero leaks and emissions, maintains low overall pressure loss, and mitigates water hammer damage. Available in sizes from 1.5 inches to 72 inches in ASME pressure classes 125 through 2500. The CVR is among the largest wafer dual-disc check valves available from a single manufacturer.

The Champion Valve CVL is a wafer-style rubber-lined dual-disc check valve. It features a fully lined elastomer insert that provides complete isolation of the process media from the ductile iron valve body. This design is used in applications where the process media is corrosive or aggressive and must not contact the metallic valve body. Available 2-inch to 24-inch in ASME Class 150.

The Champion Valve NZW is a wafer-style axial flow check valve that conforms to API 594. It minimizes pressure loss, accommodates high-turbulence liquid and gas applications, and provides easy access for maintenance and repair. Available in 2-inch to 12-inch sizes in ASME pressure classes 150 through 2500. Axial flow check valves are used in high-velocity applications where conventional dual-disc or swing check valves would experience excessive wear.

The Champion Valve SCT is a threaded-end silent check valve. It features a non-slam design for quiet operation, economical construction, and suitability for gas, liquid, and steam service. Available in small sizes from 1/8-inch to 2-inch in ASME Class 300 and 1000 WOG. The SCT is designed for applications where space is limited and valve noise must be minimized.

Champion Valve wafer check valves range from 1/8 inch (Model SCT threaded end) to 72 inches (Model CVR dual disc). Model CVR covers 1.5 inches to 72 inches. Model SDX covers 2 inches to 36 inches. Model NZW covers 2 inches to 12 inches in classes 150 through 2500. Model SCT covers 1/8 inch to 2 inches. Full-size coverage from fractional to large bore.

All three are single-disc wafer check valves. The SDS is an API 6D short-pattern design with a one-piece body that eliminates leak paths and requires minimal maintenance. It is available in 2-inch to 24-inch sizes in ASME 150-600. The SDX has a standard externally mounted spring, with optional lever, weights, and pneumatic dampers for enhanced closure and manual operation. It is available in 2-inch to 36-inch sizes in ASME 150. The SDR is a spring-loaded single disc specifically engineered for flanged piping systems and is ideal for pumps, compressors, and blowers. It is available in 2-inch to 12-inch sizes in ASME 125/150/300.