Wafer Check Valve vs Swing Check Valve: What’s the Difference?

1 Introduction

In industrial piping systems, check valves are vital for preventing reverse flow and ensuring safe operation. Two of the most common types are the Wafer Check Valve and the Swing Check Valve. Although they serve the same purpose, their design, performance, and applications differ. To meet these needs, LIXIN Wafer Check Valve offers a compact, reliable, and internationally certified solution. In this guide, we’ll explain the difference between wafer and swing check valve to help you choose the right option.

2 What Is a Wafer Check Valve?

A Wafer Check Valve, also called a wafer style check valve or wafer type check valve, is a compact, lightweight valve that fits neatly between two pipe flanges. Instead of using a bulky body, its slim profile allows for space-saving installation without compromising performance.

Key features of a check valve wafer type include:

• A disc or dual-plate mechanism that opens with forward flow and closes instantly to prevent backflow.

• Compatibility with flanged wafer check valve connections for quick installation.

• Minimal maintenance due to fewer moving parts.

Because of these advantages, wafer valves are popular in HVAC systems, water treatment plants, chemical processing, and marine industries. Many wafer check valve manufacturers, such as LIXIN, offer solutions that comply with international certifications like ISO9001:2016 and CE standards, ensuring durability and global reliability.

3 What Is a Swing Check Valve?

A Swing Check Valve operates using a hinged disc (or flapper) that swings open when fluid flows forward and swings shut when flow reverses. This is simple yet effective design makes it widely used in large-volume and low-pressure-drop applications.

Key characteristics include:

• A heavier and bulkier body compared to wafer swing check valves.

• A metal-to-metal or resilient seat that seals against backflow.

• Typically installed in horizontal piping systems for optimal performance.

Swing check valves are common in oil & gas pipelines, water distribution networks, and power generation plants, where their durability and high-capacity handling make them indispensable.

4 10 Differences Between a Wafer Check Valve and a Swing Check Valve

4-1 Design and Working Principle

• Wafer Check Valve (wafer style check valve): Uses a disc or dual-plate mechanism that opens when fluid flows forward and closes instantly once flow reverses. The slim, compact body fits between flanges, making it a space-saving solution.

• Swing Check Valve: Operates with a hinged disc that swings open with flow and swings shut against the seat when backflow occurs. Its design is bulkier and heavier, requiring more installation space.

4-2 Performance Comparison

• Wafer type check valve: Provides quick closure, reducing the risk of reverse flow and water hammer. It performs well in systems with frequent flow fluctuations.

• Swing check valve: Offers steady performance in pipelines with consistent, high-volume flow, though its slower closure makes it less effective in surge-sensitive systems.

4-3 Materials and Sealing

• Wafer style check valve: Commonly manufactured in stainless steel, cast iron, and duplex alloys, with options for resilient seals (EPDM, NBR, Viton) to enhance leak-tightness.

• Swing type check valve: Typically made from cast iron, carbon steel, or bronze, with either metal-to-metal sealing or soft-seat options. More suitable for rugged industrial conditions like oil and gas.

4-4 Installation and Orientation

• Check valve wafer type: Can be installed horizontally or vertically, offering flexibility for space-limited systems.

• Swing check valve: Best suited for horizontal pipelines. Vertical installation is possible but may compromise performance depending on flow direction.

4-5 Typical Applications

• Wafer swing check valve: Used in HVAC systems, desalination plants, water treatment, chemical processing, and shipbuilding, where space-saving and quick shutoff are key.

• Swing check valve: Common in oil refineries, municipal water supply, irrigation, and power generation, where large-diameter pipelines and long-term durability are more important.

4-6 Maintenance and Troubleshooting

• Wafer check valve: Requires minimal maintenance due to fewer moving parts. Inspection is easier, and downtime is reduced.

• Swing check valve: The hinge pin and disc are subject to wear, requiring periodic checks, lubrication, or replacement. This makes it slightly more maintenance-intensive.

4-7 Flow Dynamics and Response Time

• Wafer vs swing check valve: Wafer types close faster, reducing the risk of flow reversal and hydraulic shocks. Their streamlined design minimizes turbulence.

• Swing check valve: The disc’s swinging motion causes slower closure, which may lead to water hammer in high-pressure systems.

4-8 Energy Efficiency Considerations

• Wafer type check valve: Its short stroke length and light disc result in lower pressure drop, improving overall system energy efficiency.

• Swing type check valve: The swinging disc introduces more resistance, which translates to higher energy loss over time.

4-9 Standard Compliance and Certifications

• LIXIN Wafer Check Valve: Manufactured under ISO9001:2016 and CE certifications, exported to more than 40 countries, trusted for consistent performance.

• Swing check valve: Compliance depends on manufacturers; some offer API, ANSI, or DIN standard products, but quality can vary.

4-10 Noise and Vibration

• Wafer type vs swing type check valve: Wafer valves close quickly and smoothly, reducing noise, vibration, and risk of slamming. This makes them suitable for quiet operation environments.

• Swing check valve: The swinging motion and slower closure may cause audible vibrations and slamming, especially in turbulent or high-velocity pipelines.

5 Wafer Check Valve VS Swing Check Valve

6 Conclusion

In fluid control systems, selecting the appropriate check valve is crucial for efficiency and safety. Wafer Check Valves and Swing Check Valves each have distinct advantages and limitations.

• Wafer type check valves are suitable for compact installations, fast closure, and applications where minimizing backflow or water hammer is important.

• Swing check valves are better for large-diameter pipelines, high-volume flow, and scenarios where durability and simplicity of design are prioritized.

When deciding between wafer vs swing check valve, engineers should consider factors such as flow characteristics, pressure drop, installation orientation, maintenance requirements, and material compatibility. Solutions like the LIXIN Wafer Check Valve demonstrate how modern wafer-type designs can provide reliable performance, compliance with international standards, and flexibility across a variety of industrial applications.