casting valve

Valve castings are parts such as valve bodies, valve covers and hand wheels that are castings. Casting is used to manufacture parts with large dimensions to save costs. However, forging is used to manufacture small size valves.

Valves contain a valve body, bonnet, stem and flap. The valve stem is forged. Forged parts can be replaced by rolled steel. Rolled bar stock is also acceptable at low pressures. Discs, bodies and bonnets can be made directly from bar stock. Large size parts are cast. Casting materials can be classified as carbon steel, alloy steel and stainless steel. 

Carbon steel: WCA, WCB, WCC; 

Alloy steel: WC6, WC9; 

Stainless steel: CF8, CF8M, CF3, CF3M.


All valves are indispensable parts of any industrial system, but not all valves are created in the same way. For example, some valves are forged and other valves are cast. So what are the differences between forging vs casting valves and which type of valve is best for your specific application?


Forging Valves

Forging is a process that uses metal forming machinery to pressure process metal blanks to deform them plastically to obtain mechanical properties, shape and size. Forging is a common forming process widely used in machinery. Forging eliminates cast pine and weld holes within the metal. The mechanical properties of forgings are superior to those of castings.

Depending on the temperature, forging can be divided into cold forging and hot forging. Typically, cold forging is carried out at room temperature. Hot forging is carried out at a temperature above the recrystallisation temperature of the metal. Forging at temperatures below recrystallisation is called warm forging.

Forged valves are created using a forging method that involves shaping metals and alloys while they’re in their solid form. Heat and industrial-size tools deliver compressive forces to bend the metals and alloys, and dies are used to cut and shape the materials to create specific valves. Forging can be performed in most temperatures depending on the metals used.

Feature

don’t have to worry about wasted materials

shaped into one solid piece

ideal for handling high-pressure and high-temperature systems

increase in impact and overall strength. 

create valves with less wall thickness

forged valves can be heated and cooled more quickly


Casting Valves

Casting is a type of injection moulding in which molten liquid metal is injected into a prepared mould. After cooling, the casting is formed. Casting can be classified by process as sand casting, pressure casting, investment casting, shell casting, cavityless casting, low pressure casting, gravity casting etc.


Unlike forging, casting uses the liquid form of metal to create valves. These metals are melted into a molten liquid and poured into various molds. Once the liquid cools and solidifies, it’s broken out of or ejected from the mold.

One of the biggest benefits of casting is that it can create valves with complex shapes, patterns, and sizes. Using a mold to manufacture these devices gives you more freedom to make different types valves with more intricate parts.

Casting valves are also a great cost-effective solution for many companies. It allows you to make valves using more types of metals and alloys. Plus, since it doesn’t require as much labor as forging valves, casting helps to reduce machining costs, especially when creating valves of complex shapes.


Most importantly, casting valves provides an easier and less time-consuming way to make replacement parts when a system’s current valves break down and deteriorate

OEM valve parts 

As an OEM valve parts supplier in China, Zen Young has rich experience in casting processing and high quality service.

-Cast parts weight from 0.1kgs up to 10,000kgs

-Following the standardized production of ISO 9001:2015

-We supply OEM casting services for world wide manufactures.

To view more:

Common Heat Treatment Process for Steel Castings (Part 1)

Common Heat Treatment Process for Steel Castings (Part 2)