The Apollo 94ALF-100 series brass two-piece inline ball valve has a lever handle and female National Pipe Taper (NPT) threads on both ends. It is made of brass for higher corrosion resistance than steel, and has a zinc-plated steel lever handle with a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) grip for manual on/off control. The valve materials meet federal and state lead level requirements for use with potable water systems. This valve is full port for reduced friction; its inner diameter is the same as the inner diameter of the pipe it connects to for maximum operating efficiency. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) seats reduce the risk of leakage, and the valve has National Pipe Taper (NPT) threads for creating tighter seals than straight threads. The maximum pressure ratings are 600 pounds per square inch (psi) cold working pressure (CWP) (sizes from 1/4 to 2 inches) and 400 psi CWP (sizes from 2-1/2 to 3 inches), and the temperature range is -20 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This ball valve is for use in water lines, processing plants, and agricultural applications and meets standards CA AB1953, VT Act 193, MD HB372, LA HB471, Federal Public Law 111-380, ANSI/NSF 61-8, and MSS SP-110 for quality assurance.

Ball valves use a spherical disc to control the flow between pipes, tubes, or hoses. Flow is allowed when the hole that pierces the ball-shaped disc is in line with the inlet and outlet of the valve. Flow is blocked when the ball is horizontally swiveled 90 degrees, so that the hole of the ball is perpendicular to the opening of the valve. Ball valves can be referred to as full port or reduced port (also known as regular or standard port) depending on the inner diameter of the valve. A ball valve is full port if the hole of the ball is the same size as the inner diameter of the connecting pipeline (resulting in lower friction) and is reduced port if the hole of the valve is one pipe size smaller than the pipe, resulting in less flow through the valve than through the shaft of the pipe. Ball valves may have a handle or lever that aligns with the ball’s position (open or closed) for manual operation. They are primarily used in air, gas, liquid, and steam applications.

Apollo manufactures ball, mixing, and relief valves, actuators, water gauges, marine fittings, heating and plumbing products, and backflow prevention devices. The company, founded in 1928 and headquartered in Matthews, NC, meets International Organization for Standardization ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and makes products that meet ISO and American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.