Gate valves are selected for full-bore isolation service where the valve operates either fully open or fully closed. The wedge disc retracts completely outside the flow path in the open position, providing unrestricted flow with minimal pressure drop — making them the standard choice for pipeline isolation, pump suction and discharge lines, and utility service in oil & gas, petrochemical, power generation, and water treatment industries. Gate valves are not suitable for throttling duty.

Wedge gate valves are the most common configuration, with solid wedge for general service and flexible wedge for high-temperature steam applications where thermal distortion and pipeline stress can cause seat misalignment. Parallel slide gate valves are selected for high-pressure steam and boiler feed water systems in power generation, where the spring-loaded parallel disc design reduces operating torque and eliminates wedging under thermal cycling conditions.

Cast steel bodies (WCB, CF8, CF8M) are standard for Class 150–300 general process and utility service. Forged steel bodies (A105N, F316L, F11, F22, F51 Duplex) are required for Class 600–2500 high-pressure critical service, with pressure seal bonnet construction standard for Class 900 and above. Body material selection — carbon steel for standard service, alloy steel (F11, F22) for temperatures up to 600°C, and stainless steel (F316L, CF8M) for corrosive and offshore applications — is determined by operating temperature, fluid type, and system corrosion requirements.