The faucet is the popular name for the water valve, which is used to control the size of the water flow and has the effect of saving water. The replacement of faucets is very fast, from the old cast iron process to the electroplated knob type, and then to the stainless steel single temperature single control faucet, the stainless steel double temperature double control faucet, and the kitchen semi-automatic faucet. Now, more and more consumers buy faucets, and they will comprehensively consider materials, functions, shapes and other aspects. Modern taps often have aerators at the tip to limit water flow and introduce air in the form of bubbles to reduce splashing. Without an aerator, water usually flows out of the tap in one big stream. An aerator spreads the water flow into many small droplets. In sanitary settings such as hospitals or laboratories "laminar flow devices" are used in place of aerators. Laminar flow devices restrict flow and direct the water into a smooth stream without introducing the surrounding air which could contain hazardous bacteria or particles. Modern bathroom and kitchen taps often use ceramic or plastic surfaces sliding against other spring-loaded ceramic surfaces or plastic washers. These taps exploit the uniquely low value of the coefficient of friction of 2 ceramic surfaces in contact, especially in the presence of water as a lubricant. These taps tend to require far less maintenance than traditional globe valves, and when maintenance is required the entire interior of the valve is usually replaced, often as a single pre-assembled cartridge.
According to the material, the faucet can be divided into stainless steel kitchen faucet, cast iron, all-plastic, brass kitchen faucet, zinc alloy material faucet, polymer composite material faucet and other categories. According to the function, it can be divided into basin, bathtub, shower, kitchen sink faucet and electric hot water faucet (porcelain energy electric hot water faucet) that becomes more and more popular. According to the structure, it can be divided into several types of faucets such as single type, double type and triple type. Also there is a single hole kitchen faucet. The single type can be connected to a cold water pipe or a hot water pipe; the double type can be connected to two hot and cold pipes at the same time, which is mostly used in the faucet of the bathroom vanity and the kitchen sink with hot water supply; the triple type can be connected to two hot and cold pipes. In addition to the pipe, it can also be connected to the shower head, which is mainly used for the faucet of the bathtub. The single handle faucet can adjust the temperature of cold and hot water with one handle, while the double handle needs to adjust the cold water pipe and the hot water pipe respectively to adjust the water temperature.
