Trusted in marine and chemical-processing valves, these balls stand up to some of the most highly corrosive environments. Made of 316 stainless steel, they hold up to sulfuric acid, chlorine, and other harsh chemicals in temperatures as high as 1500° F. They’re a step up from balls made of 304, which have similar strength and temperature performance. They’re passivated to wash away surface particles that cause rust, and they’re polished to a mirror-like finish that contaminants can’t stick to. The result is balls that stay smooth and stand the test of time. They’re made to strict ISO 3290 standards for roundness and surface quality.

Although 316 balls aren’t as wear resistant as 440C balls, they’re easier to fabricate. They’re also nonmagnetic.

Often used instead of metal in bearings and rollers, these balls are ideal for applications where strength under heavy loads and wear resistance is needed. It's the addition of yttria that gives this zirconia more strength and lowers the chances of cracking from impact than standard zirconia, alumina, and silicon nitride ceramic. If cracks do occur, they will not spread, extending the life and reliability of the material. It also means this zirconia blend resists wearing down from rubbing against another part or abrasion from chemical slurries.

These balls do not withstand rapid temperature changes or high temperatures as well as other high-performance ceramics such as ceramic alumina and silicon nitride ceramic.