A floating ball valve seals by pushing the ball downstream under pressure. A fixed (trunnion) ball valve locks the ball in place and moves the seats instead. That one mechanical difference drives everything: torque requirements, size limits, pressure ratings, and how much maintenance the valve needs over its service life.
Get this choice wrong on a large-bore, high-pressure line, and the cost shows up fast — in oversized actuators, uneven seat wear, or unplanned downtime. This comparison breaks down both designs side by side, using the HN105 floating and HN106 fixed product lines as reference points. Honiks is a factory-backed industrial valve supplier in China, working with qualified partner factories to supply API ball valve configurations across both floating and trunnion-mounted designs.
Key Takeaways
- Floating ball valves use line pressure to push the ball against the downstream seat. Fixed ball valves use spring-loaded seats that move against a bearing-supported ball.
- Floating design is commonly used below NPS 8 and Class 600. Above these thresholds, fixed (trunnion-mounted) design is often selected for better mechanical support and torque control.
- Fixed ball valves enable double block and bleed (DBB). Floating ball valves do not.
- Actuator sizing costs can swing the total project economics — fixed ball valves require lower torque, which means smaller, lower-cost actuators.
- Honiks supplies both configurations through the HN105 floating and HN106 fixed product lines, matched to project specifications.
What Is a Floating Ball Valve?
In a floating ball valve, the ball is not bolted down. It “floats” between two seat rings, held in place by the stem and seat compression. Close the valve, and upstream pressure pushes the ball against the downstream seat — that is the primary seal.
This simplicity is the floating design’s biggest advantage. Fewer internal components mean fewer potential failure points and a lower unit cost at small to medium sizes. The trade-off: as the ball gets larger and pressure climbs, the force pushing the ball into the downstream seat increases. That force translates directly into operating torque — the larger the ball and the higher the pressure, the harder it becomes to turn. For a 6-inch Class 600 floating ball valve, the hand lever is still manageable. For a 8-inch Class 900, the torque can climb beyond what a standard gear operator handles comfortably — and that is the signal to switch to a fixed design.
Floating ball valves are commonly supplied to API 608 and API 6D standards, in sizes from NPS 1/2 through NPS 8 depending on pressure class. Above approximately NPS 8, ball weight starts wearing seats unevenly, and actuator torque requirements become the deciding factor against the floating design.
The Floating Ball Valve HN105 covers this configuration for general process isolation, available in carbon steel, stainless steel, and alloy body materials with soft-seated or metal-seated options. See the Floating Ball Valves category for the full range.
What Is a Fixed (Trunnion) Ball Valve?
A fixed ball valve — also called a trunnion mounted ball valve — solves the floating design’s torque problem by supporting the ball with bearings at top and bottom. The ball does not move under pressure. Instead, spring-loaded seat rings press against the ball to create the seal.
Because the ball is mechanically supported, the operating torque depends primarily on stem-bearing friction and seat-ring contact — not on how hard line pressure pushes the ball downstream. For a 12-inch Class 900 ball valve, the torque difference between floating and fixed designs can be dramatic: where a floating valve might need a gear operator or large actuator, a fixed valve often runs with a much smaller actuator. That difference in actuator cost alone can justify the higher unit price of the fixed valve.
Fixed ball valves are manufactured to API 6D and API 608, with material and dimensional requirements from ASME B16.34. They are standard for NPS 8 and above, Class 900 and above, and any application requiring double block and bleed capability.
The Fixed Ball Valve HN106 covers trunnion-mounted configurations from Class 150 through Class 2500, with soft-seated and metal-seated options and DBB capability. See the Fixed Ball Valves category for specifications.
Floating Ball Valve vs Fixed Ball Valve: Main Differences
Side-by-side — HN105 vs HN106:
| Feature | Floating Ball Valve (HN105) | Fixed Ball Valve (HN106) | Selection Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ball support | Supported by seat rings only | Supported by top and bottom bearings | Fixed removes ball weight from the seats |
| Sealing mechanism | Line pressure pushes ball into downstream seat | Spring-loaded seats press against fixed ball | Fixed = predictable seat load across all pressures |
| Typical size range | NPS 1/2–8 | NPS 2–60 | Floating is commonly used below NPS 8; fixed is often selected above that range |
| Pressure class | Class 150–600 standard; Class 900 in smaller sizes | Class 150–2500 | Class 900+ strongly favors fixed design |
| Torque requirement | Increases with size and pressure — can become the limiting factor | Lower and more predictable — bearing-supported ball | Fixed wins on actuator sizing and cost |
| Double block & bleed | Not available | commonly specified or available on trunnion API 6D designs when required | Required for many pipeline and process isolation specs |
| Weight | Lighter at small sizes | Heavier due to bearing and body structure | Weight difference narrows above NPS 8 |
| Unit cost | Lower at NPS 2–6 | Higher at equivalent size/class | Cost gap narrows above Class 600 when actuator cost is included |
| Maintenance | Simpler internals; full disassembly required for seat access | More components; seats field-replaceable without removing the ball | Fixed = lower downtime for seat service |
| Best applications | Process isolation up to NPS 8, general industrial, chemical dosing, utility lines | Large-diameter pipelines, high-pressure gas, ESD, DBB isolation, frequent cycling | Rule of thumb: spec for worst case, not average |
For full API-compliant ball valve options across both configurations, see the Ball Valves and API Valves, and ANSI Valves categories.
When to Choose a Floating Ball Valve (HN105)
Go with a floating ball valve when:
- The size is NPS 8 or below. This is the floating design’s sweet spot — simple mechanics, lower cost, and torque that stays manageable with standard handles or small actuators.
- Pressure class is Class 600 or below. At Class 900, floating designs work in smaller sizes (NPS 2–4) but actuator torque starts driving the economics toward fixed.
- The valve is in general process isolation, utility, or non-critical service where DBB is not required.
- Budget is the primary driver and the service conditions fall well within the floating envelope.
The Floating Ball Valve HN105 matches these conditions across Class 150 through Class 600 with soft-seated and metal-seated trim options.
When to Choose a Fixed Ball Valve (HN106)
Switch to a fixed ball valve when conditions cross these thresholds:
- NPS 8 or above. Ball weight and seat loading make the floating design impractical — torque climbs, seat life shortens, and actuator cost erases any valve unit-cost savings.
- Class 900 or above. At these pressure levels, the predictable, lower torque of a trunnion-mounted design is not a preference — it is the engineering default.
- Double block and bleed is required. DBB capability per API 6D is standard on fixed ball valves. Floating designs cannot provide it.
- The valve cycles frequently or serves as an emergency shutdown valve. Consistent seat loading and lower operating torque across thousands of cycles favor the fixed design.
- In-line maintenance matters. Fixed ball valve seats are field-replaceable without removing the ball — a meaningful advantage in services where downtime is measured in production losses per hour.
The Fixed Ball Valve HN106 covers these thresholds from Class 150 through Class 2500 with full-bore and reduced-bore configurations, soft and metal seats, and DBB capability.
Selection Checklist for Industrial Projects
- Valve type: Floating ball valve (NPS 1/2–8) or fixed/trunnion ball valve (NPS 2–60). Rule of thumb: floating below NPS 8, fixed above.
- NPS size and pressure class: Per ASME B16.34. Class 600 and below favors floating. Class 900 and above favors fixed regardless of size.
- Body and trim material: WCB carbon steel, CF8/CF8M stainless, duplex, or alloy grades depending on medium and temperature. Confirm seat material compatibility with the process fluid.
- End connection: RF flanged per ASME B16.5, butt-weld per ASME B16.25, or RTJ for high-pressure gas service.
- Operation: Manual lever (small sizes), gear operator, or actuated (electric/pneumatic). Fixed ball valves reduce actuator sizing cost.
- Applicable standard: API 608 (process plant) or API 6D (pipeline). For pipeline service, API 6D project specifications may call for full-bore piggable construction, DBB capability, cavity pressure relief, or related documentation. Confirm these requirements against the datasheet.
- Fire-safe and anti-static: Confirm API 607 fire-safe and anti-static stem design if required by the project specification.
- Quantity and documentation: Material test certificates per EN 10204, PMI, NDE scope, API 598 pressure test reports, and project ITP.
FAQ
What is the main difference between floating and fixed ball valves?
Floating: the ball moves to seal. Fixed (trunnion): the ball stays put and spring-loaded seats do the work. The floating design is simpler and more economical at small sizes; the fixed design handles large sizes, high pressure, and DBB requirements.
At what size should I switch from floating to fixed ball valve?
Between NPS 6 and NPS 8 is the typical transition zone. Below NPS 6, floating is standard. Above NPS 8, fixed is standard. At Class 900 and above, fixed wins even at smaller sizes due to torque.
Are fixed ball valves always trunnion mounted?
Yes — “fixed ball valve” and “trunnion mounted ball valve” refer to the same design: a ball supported by upper and lower bearings, with spring-loaded seats providing the seal.
Can floating ball valves be used for high-pressure service?
Floating valves handle Class 600 without issue. Class 900 is possible in smaller sizes (NPS 2–4) with the right seat material selection, but actuator torque increases significantly. Above Class 900, fixed is the appropriate choice.
Does a fixed ball valve cost more?
Unit cost, yes — the bearing assembly and body structure add manufacturing expense. But total installed cost including actuator sizing often favors the fixed design at Class 900+ and NPS 8+. The actuator cost difference alone can outweigh the valve price difference.
For tank farm piping applications, see our oil and gas tank farm ball valve selection notes.
Conclusion
The checklist above covers the main decision points. For a separate comparison of gate versus ball valve selection, see the API Gate Valve vs Ball Valve selection guide. Here is the short version:
If
The checklist above covers the main decision points. Here is the short version:
If your line is NPS 8 or below at Class 600 or below — start with the Floating Ball Valve HN105. If you are above NPS 8, at Class 900+, or need double block and bleed — the Fixed Ball Valve HN106 is the default.
For projects requiring an industrial ball valve supplier with API-compliant product documentation and specification-matched configurations, Honiks provides HN105 and HN106 ball valves with material traceability, pressure test reports, and configuration support. Both floating and fixed configurations are supplied with full documentation packages including EN 10204 material certificates, API 598 pressure test reports, and NDE records as specified by the project.
Contact Honiks with valve type, NPS size, pressure class, body material, end connection, medium, and quantity for a specification-matched quotation.
