L-Port Ball

L‑port ball is the core component of a 3‑way ball valve, featuring an L‑shaped 90° flow path inside the sphere. It is designed for 2‑way flow diversion and is also called a 90° ball or diverter ball.
Structure & Working Principle
Solid/hollow sphere with an L‑shaped orthogonal bore, matching three body ports (A, B, C; A is common).
90° rotation switches flow: A→B (straight) or A→C (divert); cannot connect all three ports simultaneously.
When closed, the solid sphere seals the third port for bubble‑tight shutoff.
Materials & Precision
Materials: 304/316L/443 stainless steel, carbon steel WCB, alloy steel F6a, Inconel 625; forged or cast.
Precision: Roundness ≤ 0.01–0.03mm, surface finish Ra ≤ 0.4μm (mirror‑ground sealing surface).
Surface treatment: Hard chrome plating, nitriding, Stellite hardfacing for wear/corrosion resistance.
Key Advantages (vs T‑port ball)
✅ Simple function: 2‑way diversion only; simpler structure, lower torque, lower cost.
✅ Low pressure drop: Smooth L‑bore minimizes flow resistance, ideal for high flow rates.
✅ Reliable sealing: Two‑port seal design with no central flow path, reducing leakage risk.
✅ Compact size: More compact than T‑port for the same size, suitable for space‑constrained installations.

PDF download Online Inqury BALLKING VALVE BALL TESTING REPORTS Ballking Sphere English Catalog

Detail

L-Port Ball
Size: 1/4”,1/2”,3/4”,1”,1 1/4”,1 1/2”, 2”,2 1/2”,3”,4”, 4 1/2”,5”,6”,7”,8”,9”,10”,12”,14”,16”,18”,20”,22”,24",26",28",30",32",34",

36”,38”,40”,42”,44”,46”,48”

Pressure Rating:150lb,300lb,600lb,900lb,1500lb,2500lb

Materials: we can provide carbon steel, stainless steel, cryogenic steel, and special alloy.

*ASTM A105, ASTM LF2,ss, A182 F304 (L), A182F316 (L),Duplex F51, F55, 17-4PH,Inconel 625, 690, 600, 617, 718, 718 SPF, Monel 1400, Monel R-405,Monel K-500,Titanium Gr3, Gr4, Gr7,Incoloy 800, 825, 903, 907,Hastelloy C serial, Hastelloy B,09G2S 09Г2С GOST etc

Coating:Nitridation, ENP, Chrome Plating, Tungsten Carbide, Chrome Carbide, Stellitee, Inconel, etc
Roundness ≤0.03mm
Surface roughness=0.4μm
Outside diameter. 1/2″-4″ -0.03 mm, 6″-12″ -0.05 mm (Outside diameter tolerance)
Inner diameter 1/2″-4″ 0~0.03mm,6″~12″ 0~0.05mm (Inner diameter tolerance)

Applications

Petrochemical: Flow diversion/switching, line transfer, tank unloading.
HVAC: Hot/cold medium switching, water loop control.
Water treatment: Clean/wastewater switching, filter bypass control.
Oil & gas: Flow direction switching for natural gas/crude oil, long‑distance pipeline branch control.

Selection Criteria

Application: Choose L‑port for 2‑way switching only; T‑port for 3‑way flow/combining.
Material: 304/316L for general corrosion; forged carbon/alloy steel for high pressure/temperature.
Design: Floating ball for small/medium sizes; trunnion‑mounted (fixed ball) for high pressure/large sizes。