Commonly used in industrial piping for stop or isolating - to turn on and shut off the flow as opposed to regulating flow. Gate valves are named from the gate-like disc which operates at a right angle to the path of the flow.

The flow path through globe valves follows a changing course, thereby causing increased resistance to flow and considerable pressure drop. Because of the seating arrangements, globe valves are the most suitable for throttling flow. The valve is named after its globular body.

Sometimes refered to as the non-return valve, the check valve stops back-flow in the piping. Unlike the gate and globe valves, the simplest of types operate automatically.

The Butterfly Valve derives its name from the wing-like action of the disc which operates at right angles to the flow. Its main advantage is a seating surface which is not critical. The reason for this being the disk impinges against a resilient liner to provide bubble tightness with low operating torque.