DirectMaterial.com Blogs
Common Types of Control Valves Used in Hydraulic Systems
Discover the key functions and types of control valves in hydraulic systems and their importance in enhancing efficiency and reliability in fluid power.
How To Implement a Regular Valve Replacement Schedule
Discover expert tips on preventing common valve issues, ensuring efficient operation, and extending the lifespan of your valves to maintain smooth processes.
Choosing an Industrial Thermometer for High Temperatures
Discover the best industrial thermometers for high temperatures with our guide. Find accurate, durable solutions for efficient extreme temperature measurement.
The Importance of Pressure Gauges in Oil Processing
Discover how using precision pressure gauges in oil processing enhances operational efficiency and protects valuable resources and personnel.
The Advantages of Stainless Steel Ball Valves
Stainless steel ball valves are essential components for many industries. Explore the advantages of these valves, especially for engineers and plant managers.
7 Reasons To Choose a Liquid-Filled Pressure Gauge
Enhance your equipment's durability and reliability with liquid-filled pressure gauges. Discover compelling reasons to switch for superior performance.
8 Tips for Correctly Installing a Pressure Gauge
Discover essential tips for installing pressure gauges to ensure accurate readings, safety, and equipment efficiency. Dive into our comprehensive guide.
Gate vs. Ball Valve: What's the Difference?
Residential homes and industrial facilities must regulate the flow of liquids and gases. How do you choose between gate vs. ball valves? What’s the difference?
4 Common Problems With Valves You Need To Be Aware Of
Industrial valves are critical to smooth operations. There are four common problems with valves you need to be aware of to minimize downtime.
Factors That Affect Pressure Gauge Accuracy
Precise measurements are crucial in most industrial processes. Poor readings can affect quality and safety. Learn factors that affect pressure gauge accuracy.
The Importance of Using Accurate Industrial Thermometers
Temperature measurement is a critical aspect of industrial processes. The importance of using accurate industrial thermometers impacts safety & product quality.
The Advantages of Valve Materials in Corrosive Environments
Industrial piping systems carry various fluids that can damage system components. Learn the advantages of valve materials in corrosive environments.
Determining The Right Pressure Gauge For Your Needs
Pressure gauge selection affects plant safety and product quality. Determining the right pressure gauge for your needs requires understanding your process.
The Main Components of a Ball Valve Assembly
Piping systems are complex, but it’s important to understand their parts, including valves. Here’s a breakdown of the main components of a ball valve assembly.
5 Reasons Liquid-Filled Pressure Gauges Can Fail
Many industries rely on pressure gauges for safety and quality in manufacturing. Learn to recognize five reasons liquid-filled pressure gauges can fail.
How To Maintain Ball Valves To Ensure a Long Productive Life
Ball valves work within gas and fluid systems all around us. Learn how to maintain ball valves to ensure a long and productive life for the valves.
Five Industries and Applications for Ball Valves
Ball valves play a critical role in regulating the flow of liquids and gases in industrial settings. Here are five industries and applications for ball valves.
A Selection Guide for Industrial Thermometers
Choosing the right thermometer for industrial settings is critical for product quality and safety. Here’s a selection guide for industrial thermometers.
The Importance of Using High-Quality Industrial Parts
High costs and tight supplies tempt buyers to choose cheap, available parts. But the importance of using high-quality industrial parts will soon become evident.
What To Look for When Buying Industrial Parts at Wholesale
Cost savings are just one aspect of selecting a wholesale supplier. Learn more about what to look for when buying industrial parts at wholesale.
4 Signs You Might Need To Replace a Ball Valve
Ball valves provide yeoman service in many industrial and residential settings. But you should know these four signs you might need to replace a ball valve.
4 Industries That Benefit the Most From Liquid-Filled Gauges
Gauges measure pressure, and pressure levels are critical to safety & quality. Here are 4 industries that benefit the most from liquid-filled gauges.
How a Degree Difference Can Affect Beer Brewing
Brewing beer is a combination of art & science. Brewmasters know how a degree difference can affect beer brewing. Learn more about temperature in brewing here.
Choosing the Right Valve for Your Project: An In-Depth Guide
Valve selection is critical to the safe operation of industrial systems. When faced with choosing the right valve for your project, an in-depth guide can help.
Advantages of Having a Reliable Industrial Valve Supplier
Buying wholesale saves you money, but there are many more advantages to having a reliable industrial valve supplier. Learn the benefits of dependable suppliers.
Everything You Need To Know About Liquid-Filled Gauges
Accurate pressure readings are essential for industrial processes and manufacturing. Here’s everything you need to know about liquid-filled gauges.
Why Ball Valves Are Important in Manufacturing
Learn why ball valves are important in manufacturing. Industries that depend on regulating the flow of liquids, gases and corrosive chemicals rely on them.
Common Misconceptions Surrounding Ball Valves
Ball valves are common in residential and commercial piping systems, but they’re often misunderstood. Debunk common misconceptions surrounding ball valves.
The Role of Fittings and Couplings in Industrial Settings
Industrial piping systems can be complex and confusing at first glance. Learn about the role of fittings and couplings in industrial settings.
Brass or Stainless Steel Ball Valves: Which Is Best for You?
Choosing parts for a complex industrial, commercial, or home piping system requires learning about brass or stainless steel ball valves. Which is best for you?
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Selecting Valves
Ball valves, gate valves, and backpressure valves—the variety of valve types can cause confusion. Learn common mistakes to avoid when selecting valves.
Why Gauge Quality Is Crucial in Processing & Manufacturing
Accurate pressure measurements affect quality in manufacturing. Learn more about why gauge quality is crucial in manufacturing and factors for selecting gauges.
4 Factors That Can Affect a Brass Ball Valve’s Lifespan
Valves are the workhorses of many industrial facilities, regulating liquid and gas flow. Learn four factors that can affect a brass ball valve’s lifespan.
A Closer Look at the Different Industrial Thermometer Types
Accurate temperature readings are critical in manufacturing and other industrial applications. Take a closer look at the different industrial thermometer types
Ball Valves vs. Butterfly Valves: What's the Difference?
Different sizes, pressures, and temperatures of pipes dictate whether to choose ball valves or butterfly valves. What’s the difference between them?
CAPSULE GAUGE: HOW LOW PRESSURE CAPSULE GAUGES WORK
WHEN YOU NEED A PRECISE LOW PRESSURE MEASUREMENT, A CAPSULE GAUGE IS THE INSTRUMENT TO USE.
Gate Valves: Holding Back The Horde (Figuratively Speaking)
When I think about gate valves, I think about castle warfare.
How To Calibrate A Thermometer
Calibrating a thermometer is a simple, but necessary process, and here is how.
How To Mount A Pressure Gauge
So you’ve got a pressure gauge and, just like the trophy bass you caught this spring, you want to mount it so that everyone can see.
On Pins and Needle Valves
Precision is the watchword when it comes to needle valves.
Pressure Gauge Reactions To Temperature and Vibration
Since their introduction in the mid 1800's, pressure gauges have become the most common method of measuring pressure. The vast majority of these pressure gauges incorporate the Bourbon tube, socket and geared movement.
So What Is A Thermowell, Anyway?
Thermowells come in many different lengths and materials.
SWING CHECK VALVES: PLUMBING'S ONE-WAY STREET (PART 1)
So, let’s say you have a project that needs something to flow out but not in. It could be in a plumbing system, to keep contaminated water from seeping back into the clean water supply. Maybe you need to keep gasses from mixing in your welding torch. Or you are adding CO2 to your latest home brewing creation and you don’t want beer backing up in your lines.
Types of Thermometers
Our store carries all three types of thermometers, in multiple variations.
Understanding Needle Valves
A needle valve is a valve with a small opening, or port, with a needle shaped plunger that allows a precise regulation of flow.
What Style of Pressure Gauge Connection Works Best?
We've talked before about the variety of gauge face sizes available to you. Today, we are going to talk a little about the different styles of gauge connections and their various uses.
Y-Strainers: Keeping Things Clean
Y-Strainersare an important tool for filtering unwanted particulates out of a line. You can use them for both liquids and gasses. They are most often used to protect more sensitive equipment like pumps, condensers, nozzles and turbines from particulates that may clog, or otherwise damage them.
Measuring a Strainer Screen: Microns vs. Mesh
When we are talking about strainers and filters, we are usually talking in terms of microns or mesh.
Check Valves: Pumping's One-Way Street (Part 2)
The DuraChoice brand valves on DirectMaterial.com crack at 5 psi, in comparison to that company’s swing check valves, which open at 0.5 psi.
CAPSULE GAUGE: HOW LOW PRESSURE CAPSULE GAUGES WORK
When you need a precise low pressure measurement, a capsule gauge is the instrument to use.
BALL VALVES VS. GATE VALVES: WHICH IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
DESPITE SOUNDING INCREDIBLY SIMILAR, BALL AND GATE VALVES DIFFER IN A FEW KEY WAYS. CONSUMERS OFTEN GET CONFUSED AS TO WHAT THE ACTUAL DIFFERENCE IS BETWEEN THE TWO AND WHICH IS A BETTER FIT FOR THEIR UNIQUE NEEDS. HERE WE WILL DISCUSS BOTH, WHAT THEY ARE AND WHAT NEEDS THEY BEST SERVE.
NICKEL-PLATED VALVES: WHAT IS NICKEL PLATING?
Nickel-plated brass is an underrated option when it comes to valves. Combining the high shine of stainless steel with nickel-plating adds some of the anti-corrosion properties at a cost similar to brass.
WHAT IS A Y-STRAINER? (VIDEO)
Do you know what a Y-Strainer is? If not, click here to find out.
WHAT ARE OETIKER CLAMPS? HOW ARE THEY USED?
Oetiker Clamps are one of the best-selling accessory items we carry.
LEAD-FREE BRASS - WHAT IS IT? WHY BUY IT?
Lead-free brass replaces the lead with silicon, bismuth or mixed copper alloys, which help address those issues. DuraChoice began shipping its new lead-free brass ball valves in November of 2014.
3 Tips For Valve Maintenance
Valve maintenance is important. The lifespan of a valve depends on its ability to function as intended. If not cared for properly there can be many undesirable, costly, and even potentially dangerous consequences. Plus valves have feelings and need attention too; but I digress. Despite the wide variety of valves that exist, there are some simple, general, overarching tips for maintaining them.
How to Reset a Liquid Filled Pressure Gauge
If the pointer on your liquid filled pressure gauge has wandered away from reading 0 PSI, it doesn’t mean it’s broken. There is a way to reset it back to zero. Let’s go over how to do that.
Why Your Thermometers Fail
Here at DirectMaterial.com we carry a variety of thermometers including bi-metal thermometers and glass industrial thermometers. The DuraChoice models have dial sizes in 3” or 5”, with stems ranging from 2 ½” to 9”. Thermometers are used in industries such as the food industry, beer brewing, refrigeration, A/C, processing, and many others. Today, we will look at why your thermometers fail and how you can protect them.
Why You Should Never Open Any Two-Piece Ball Valve
Our two-piece ball valves are rock stars that are used in numerous applications. They are utilized in applications for hydraulics, oil and gas, food and beverage processing, water systems, and more. One question that we encounter with our customers across these industries is whether or not you should open a two-piece ball valve once it has been attached to the application.
Why Is There An Air Bubble In My Liquid Filled Gauge?
Liquid filled pressure gauges are the cat’s pajamas. They are the bee’s knees. There are a number of reasons why they are fantastic.
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ARE HEAVIER VALVES BETTER?
Bigger, oftentimes, does not mean better. In the industrial design and engineering world, products have consistently been shedding excess weight and unnecessary materials while increasing strength and durability.
Why Thermometers Need Thermowells for Protection
Are the temperature sensors inside your equipment protected? If you have temperature sensors like thermocouples, thermistors or bimetal thermometers, you should protect them with a thermowell.
Keep Valves Functioning with These 3 Maintenance Tips
Valves play an important role in controlling the passage of air or fluid through pipes or tubing, and it’s common to ignore them until something goes wrong. But proper valve maintenance can go a long way in preventing problems from occurring in the first place. Here are some tips to help you perform some simple but valuable valve maintenance.
Do Your Valve Seats Get a Failing Grade?
Are your valves failing? Valves can deteriorate or malfunction for many different reasons, some of which are human error. It's important to know why valve seats fail so you can avoid problems in the future.
3 Things That Will Kill Your Pressure Gauges
Pressure gauges are a crucial piece of the industrial puzzle, yet they are often not managed in the most efficient way. Similar to valves, if you don’t use them correctly, there can be costly consequences.Gauges are used to measure pressure in industries such as brewing, food processing, petrochemical extraction and refining, scientific applications, and many others. This week we will be covering some ideas for how to choose and manage pressure gauges effectively.