JRVAL
Aug 07 2025
The Definitive Digital Archive
Valve Material & Chemical Compatibility
An exhaustive, high-fidelity compilation of global valve material standards, mechanical and physical properties, special service requirements, and quality assurance protocols. This archive is engineered for absolute completeness, providing engineers, procurement specialists, and technicians with a single source of truth for critical material selection.
ARCHIVE TABLE OF CONTENTS
1.0 Material Standards
2.0 Engineering Properties
Quick Selection Guide: Valve Body Materials
Purpose of this guide: This table serves as a high-level decision-making tool for preliminary material selection. It is designed to provide a rapid, comparative overview for engineers and procurement specialists. Final material selection must always be based on a detailed analysis of specific service conditions (pressure, temperature, fluid composition, etc.) in conjunction with the comprehensive standards referenced in the tables below.
| Material Family | General Corrosion Resistance | Mechanical Strength | Operating Temp. Range | Low-Temp. Toughness | Weldability | Key Strengths | Key Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon Steel (e.g., WCB, A105) |
Basic | Moderate | -29°C to 425°C | Poor | Excellent | Low cost, high availability, good general-purpose strength. | Prone to rust, poor resistance to acids/alkalis. Not for cryogenic service. |
| Austenitic Stainless Steel (e.g., 304/CF8, 316/CF8M) |
Good to Excellent | Moderate | -196°C to 550°C | Excellent | Good | Excellent corrosion resistance, hygienic, superb cryogenic performance. | Susceptible to chloride stress corrosion cracking; lower strength than Duplex. |
| Duplex Stainless Steel (e.g., 2205, CD3MN) |
Excellent | Very High | -50°C to 300°C | Good | Demanding | Extremely high strength, superior resistance to chloride cracking. | Lower max temperature limit, requires specialized welding procedures. |
| High-Temp Alloy Steel (e.g., WC6, WC9, C12A) |
Moderate (at temp) | High (at temp) | Up to 650°C+ | Poor | Good (preheat req.) | Excellent creep strength and mechanical properties at high temperatures. | Moderate corrosion resistance at ambient temp; higher cost. |
| Nickel Alloys (e.g., Monel, Inconel, Hastelloy) |
Premier | High | -200°C to 1000°C+ | Excellent | Demanding | Resists a wide range of severe corrosives (acids, alkalis), high temp & pressure. | Extremely high cost, difficult to machine and weld. |
1.0 Global Material Standards & Equivalency
The cornerstone of global projects is understanding the relationships between different international material standards. This table provides a clear, cross-referenced guide to the most common valve materials. Note that "equivalent" implies functional similarity, but chemical and mechanical properties may have slight variations. Always consult the specific standard for design-critical applications.
| Material Group | Common Name / UNS | ASTM (USA) | EN (Europe) | DIN (Germany) | JIS (Japan) | GB/T (China) | GOST (Russia) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forging (A182/A105/A350) | Casting (A216/A351/A352) | Standard | Grade (Symbol / Number) | Grade | Grade | Grade | Grade | ||
| Carbon Steels | |||||||||
| Standard Temp | K03504 | A105 | A216 WCB | EN 10222-2 / EN 10213 | P250GH / 1.0460 (F) GP240GH / 1.0619 (C) |
C22.8 / GS-C25 | SFVC 2A / SCPH 2 | 20# / ZG230-450 | Сталь 20 / 20Л |
| Low Temp | K03011 | A350 LF2 | A352 LCB/LCC | EN 10222-3 / EN 10213 | P280GH / 1.0473 (F) G17Mn5 / 1.6220 (C) |
TStE 285 / GS-21 Mn 5 | SFL 2 / SCLPL 1 | 16Mn / ZG16Mn | 09Г2С |
| Austenitic Stainless Steels | |||||||||
| 304 / 304L | S30400 / S30403 | A182 F304 / F304L | A351 CF8 / CF3 | EN 10222-5 / EN 10213 | X5CrNi18-10 / 1.4301 (304) X2CrNi19-11 / 1.4307 (304L) |
X5CrNi18-10 | SCS 13 / SCS 13A | 0Cr18Ni9 / ZG0Cr18Ni9 | 08Х18Н10 / 12Х18Н9Л |
| 316 / 316L | S31600 / S31603 | A182 F316 / F316L | A351 CF8M / CF3M | EN 10222-5 / EN 10213 | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 / 1.4401 (316) GX5CrNiMo19-11-2 / 1.4408 (C) X2CrNiMo17-12-2 / 1.4404 (316L) |
X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | SCS 14 / SCS 14A | 0Cr17Ni12Mo2 / ZG0Cr17Ni12Mo2 | 08Х17Н13М2 / 10Х17Н13М2Л |
| 321 | S32100 | A182 F321 | A351 CF8C | EN 10222-5 | X6CrNiTi18-10 / 1.4541 | X6CrNiTi18-10 | SCS 21 | 1Cr18Ni9Ti / ZG1Cr18Ni9Ti | 08Х18Н10Т / 12Х18Н9ТЛ |
| 347 | S34700 | A182 F347 | A351 CF8C (similar) | EN 10222-5 | X6CrNiNb18-10 / 1.4550 | X6CrNiNb18-10 | SCS 22 | 0Cr18Ni11Nb / ZG0Cr18Ni11Nb | 08Х18Н12Б |
| Alloy Steels (Cr-Mo) for High Temperature Service | |||||||||
| 1.25Cr-0.5Mo | K11597 | A182 F11 | A217 WC6 | EN 10273 | 13CrMo4-5 / 1.7335 | 13CrMo44 | SCPH 32 | 15CrMo / ZG15CrMo | 15ХМ |
| 2.25Cr-1Mo | K21590 | A182 F22 | A217 WC9 | EN 10273 | 10CrMo9-10 / 1.7380 | 10CrMo9-10 | SCMV 4 / SCPH 61 | 12Cr2Mo1 / ZG10Cr2Mo | 10Х2М |
| 5Cr-0.5Mo | K41545 | A182 F5 | A217 C5 | EN 10273 | X12CrMo5 / 1.7362 | X12CrMo5 | - | 1Cr5Mo / ZG1Cr5Mo | 15Х5М |
| 9Cr-1Mo-V | K90901 | A182 F91 | A217 C12A | EN 10216-2 | X10CrMoVNb9-1 / 1.4903 | X10CrMoVNb9-1 | - | - | - |
| Duplex & Super Duplex Stainless Steels | |||||||||
| Duplex (2205) | S32205 / S31803 | A182 F51 / F60 | A351 CD3MN / A890 4A | EN 10088-3 | X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 / 1.4462 | X2CrNiMoN22-5-3 | SCS 10 | 00Cr22Ni5Mo3N | 03Х22Н6М2 |
| Super Duplex | S32750 / S32760 | A182 F53 / F55 | A890 5A / 6A | EN 10088-3 | X2CrNiMoCuWN25-7-4 / 1.4501 (F55) X2CrNiMoN25-7-4 / 1.4410 (F53) |
X2CrNiMoN25-7-4 | - | - | - |
Archivist's Note on Chinese Standards: The GB/T column represents the foundational National Standards for material grades (e.g., ZG230-450). For chemical industry applications within China, these base materials are then specified within HG/T (Chemical Industry) standards. For example, the flange standard HG/T 20592 will directly call for materials like ZG230-450. Therefore, HG/T is an application standard that references GB/T, not an independent material grade standard.
Expert Judgement: Regional Standards & Harmonization (e.g., AS)
In the pursuit of absolute clarity, this archive distinguishes between foundational material grade standards (like ASTM, EN) and regional/application standards that often harmonize with or reference them.
- Australian Standards (AS): For valve materials, Australian standards largely align with and reference international norms. A project specified under AS will typically use valve body materials defined by ASTM (e.g., A216 WCB) or EN standards. The unique contribution of AS in this context often lies in specific dimensional standards (e.g., AS 2129 for flanges) and application-specific requirements (e.g., for waterworks), rather than a parallel system of base material grades.
- Conclusion: To avoid redundancy, region-specific standards like AS are addressed here contextually rather than as separate columns in the main equivalency table. Engineers working with these standards should reference the primary material grade (ASTM/EN) and the specific regional dimensional/application standard.
ASTM Standards (USA)
The American Society for Testing and Materials provides the foundational standards for North American and many international projects.
- A105: Forgings, Carbon Steel, for Ambient- and Higher-Temperature Service.
- A216: Steel Castings, Carbon, Suitable for Fusion Welding, for High-Temperature Service (WCB/WCC).
- A182: Forgings, Alloy-Steel and Stainless Steel, for High-Temperature Service (F-Grades).
- A351: Castings, Austenitic, for High-Temperature Service (CF-Grades).
- A350: Forgings, Carbon and Low-Alloy Steel, for Low-Temperature Service (LF-Grades).
- A352: Steel Castings, Ferritic and Martensitic, for Low-Temperature Service (LC-Grades).
EN Standards (Europe)
The Euronorm (EN) standards are harmonized across the European Union, using a systematic numbering and naming convention.
- EN 10213: Steel castings for pressure purposes. (e.g., GP240GH, GX5CrNiMo19-11-2).
- EN 10222 Series: Steel forgings for pressure purposes.
- EN 10088 Series: Stainless steels.
- EN 1092-1: Flanges and their joints (PN designated).
- Material Naming: Often given as a symbolic name (e.g., GP240GH) and a material number (e.g., 1.0619).
Legacy DIN Standards (Germany)
Deutsches Institut für Normung standards are largely superseded by EN standards but remain critical for legacy systems and MRO.
- DIN 17243: Seamless circular tubes of creep-resistant steels.
- DIN 17440: Stainless steels technical delivery conditions.
- GS-C25: Common cast carbon steel, now largely replaced by 1.0619 / GP240GH.
- 1.4408: The material number for cast 316-equivalent, which remains a common identifier.
JIS Standards (Japan)
Japanese Industrial Standards are the primary specifications for projects in or sourced from Japan. The "SCS" grades are particularly common for valves.
- SCS13A: Cast Austenitic Stainless Steel, functionally equivalent to ASTM A351 CF8 (304).
- SCS14A: Cast Austenitic Stainless Steel, equivalent to ASTM A351 CF8M (316).
- SCPH 2: Carbon Steel Castings for High-Temperature and High-Pressure Service, similar to A216 WCB.
GB/T Standards (China)
Guobiao (GB) standards are the mandatory national standards for the People's Republic of China, crucial for sourcing from or selling into this market.
- GB/T 12229: General purpose industrial valves - Specification of carbon steel castings. (e.g., ZG230-450).
- GB/T 12230: General purpose industrial valves - Specification of stainless steel castings. (e.g., ZG1Cr18Ni9Ti).
- "Z" prefix in ZG often denotes "casting" (铸).
GOST Standards (Russia/CIS)
The GOST (ГОСТ) standards are prevalent in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Their nomenclature is distinct from Western standards.
- Сталь 20 (Stal' 20): A common carbon steel grade, with "Л" (L) indicating the cast version (20Л).
- 08Х18Н10Т: A titanium-stabilized stainless steel, similar to 321. "Х" denotes Chromium, "Н" denotes Nickel, "Т" denotes Titanium.
- 09Г2С: A popular low-temperature carbon steel.
2.0 Key Engineering Properties
Beyond standard designation, a material's suitability is determined by its mechanical and physical properties. This section provides typical room-temperature values for critical parameters. These values are representative and can vary based on heat treatment, section thickness, and the specific standard revision.
2.1 Key Mechanical Properties
| Material Grade (ASTM) | Material Type | Tensile Strength (min) | Yield Strength (min) | Elongation (% in 2" or 50mm, min) |
Hardness (Brinell, HB, max unless noted) |
Charpy V-Notch Impact (Joules @ Test Temp, min) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ksi | MPa | ksi | MPa | |||||
| Carbon Steels | ||||||||
| A216 WCB | Cast Carbon Steel | 70 | 485 | 36 | 250 | 22% | 187 | Not generally required unless specified |
| A105 | Forged Carbon Steel | 70 | 485 | 36 | 250 | 30% | 187 | Not generally required unless specified |
| A352 LCC | Low-Temp Cast Steel | 70 | 485 | 40 | 275 | 22% | 187 | 20 J @ -46°C (-50°F) |
| A350 LF2 | Low-Temp Forged Steel | 70 | 485 | 36 | 250 | 22% | 197 | 20 J @ -46°C (-50°F) |
| Austenitic Stainless Steels | ||||||||
| A351 CF8 (304) | Cast Stainless Steel | 70 | 485 | 30 | 205 | 35% | 201 | Exempt from testing > -101°C per many codes |
| A351 CF8M (316) | Cast Stainless Steel | 70 | 485 | 30 | 205 | 30% | 201 | Exempt from testing > -196°C per many codes |
| A182 F316L | Forged Stainless Steel | 70 | 485 | 25 | 170 | 30% | 217 | Excellent toughness, often exempt |
| Cr-Mo Alloy Steels (High Temperature) | ||||||||
| A217 WC6 (F11) | 1.25Cr-0.5Mo Cast | 70 | 485 | 40 | 275 | 20% | 201 | Not typically required |
| A217 WC9 (F22) | 2.25Cr-1Mo Cast | 70 | 485 | 40 | 275 | 18% | 201 | Not typically required |
| A217 C5 (F5) | 5Cr-0.5Mo Cast | 90 | 620 | 60 | 415 | 18% | 241 | Not typically required |
| A217 C12A (F91) | 9Cr-1Mo-V-Nb Cast | 85 | 585 | 60 | 415 | 20% | 248 | Impact testing is required |
| Duplex & High Alloy Steels | ||||||||
| A890 4A (2205) | Duplex Cast Steel | 90 | 620 | 60 | 415 | 25% | 270 | 41 J @ -46°C (-50°F) |
| A890 5A (Super Duplex) | Super Duplex Cast | 100 | 690 | 70 | 485 | 18% | 300 | 34 J @ -46°C (-50°F) |
| Monel M35-1 (N04400) | Nickel-Copper Cast | 65 | 450 | 25 | 170 | 25% | 135 (Typical) | Excellent toughness, cryogenic suitable |
| Hastelloy CW12MW (C276) | Nickel-Alloy Cast | 70 | 485 | 30 | 205 | 20% | 248 | Excellent toughness, cryogenic suitable |
2.2 Essential Physical Properties
Physical properties like density, thermal expansion, and conductivity are critical for calculating weight, thermal stress, and heat transfer in piping systems.
| Material Type | Density (kg/m³) |
Mean Coeff. of Thermal Expansion (10⁻⁶ m/m °C, 20-100°C) |
Thermal Conductivity (W/m·K, @ 100°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon & Low Alloy Steel | ~ 7850 | ~ 12.0 | ~ 50.0 |
| Austenitic Stainless Steel (304/316) | ~ 8000 | ~ 16.5 | ~ 16.2 |
| Duplex Stainless Steel (2205) | ~ 7800 | ~ 13.0 | ~ 19.0 |
| 9Cr-1Mo Steel (F91) | ~ 7760 | ~ 12.8 | ~ 28.0 |
| Nickel Alloy (Monel 400) | ~ 8800 | ~ 13.9 | ~ 21.8 |
| Nickel Alloy (Hastelloy C276) | ~ 8890 | ~ 11.2 | ~ 13.4 |
3.0 Advanced Engineering Topics
This section delves into specialized knowledge crucial for modern valve specification, covering environmental compliance, extreme service conditions, manufacturing integrity, and corrosion protection beyond the base material.
3.1 Sealing Technology & Fugitive Emissions
Packing & Gasket Materials
Sealing element selection is as critical as body material. Key types include:
- Flexible Graphite: Wide temperature range (-200°C to 450°C+), excellent chemical resistance, standard for low-emission packing.
- PTFE (Teflon): Superb chemical resistance, low friction. Limited temp range (~-50°C to 200°C). V-ring stacks are common.
- Spiral Wound Gaskets: Composite of metal and filler (graphite/PTFE) for high-pressure flange sealing. Metal choice (e.g., 316SS) depends on process compatibility.
Fugitive Emissions Standards
These standards mandate stringent testing to minimize leakage to the atmosphere, protecting personnel and the environment.
- ISO 15848-1: Defines prototype test procedures for measuring and classifying fugitive emissions from industrial valves.
- API 622: Type testing of process valve packing for fugitive emissions. Focuses on the packing material itself.
- API 624: Type testing of rising stem valves equipped with graphite packing for fugitive emissions. A valve-level test.
3.2 Special Service Application Requirements
Sour Service (NACE)
Materials for environments containing wet hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) must resist sulfide stress cracking (SSC).
- Standard: NACE MR0175 / ISO 15156.
- Key Req's: Limits hardness (typically < 22 HRC), requires specific heat treat conditions, and restricts or prohibits certain alloys.
- Common Materials: A216 WCB (with controlled chemistry/hardness), 316SS, Duplex, Inconel.
Cryogenic Service
For service below -46°C (down to LNG at -162°C or LN₂ at -196°C). Materials must remain ductile and avoid brittle fracture.
- Standard: BS 6364.
- Key Req's: Proven Charpy impact toughness at or below design temperature. Extended bonnet design is required to protect stem packing.
- Materials: Austenitic SS (304/304L, 316/316L), Monel, some bronze alloys. Carbon steels are unsuitable.
High-Temperature Service
Applications above ~425°C where creep strength (resistance to slow deformation under stress) becomes the primary design factor.
- Key Req's: High creep and rupture strength. Resistance to oxidation and scaling.
- Materials: Cr-Mo alloys (A217 WC6, WC9, C12A/F91), advanced stainless steels, and nickel-based superalloys like Inconel. Carbon steels lose significant strength at high temps.
Oxygen Service
The primary hazard is ignition and combustion. Materials must be compatible and scrupulously clean.
- Key Req's: Strict "cleaned for oxygen service" protocols to remove all hydrocarbons (oils, greases, particles). Use of ignition-resistant materials.
- Materials: Monel, Bronze, and specific stainless steels are preferred. PTFE and other packing must be oxygen-rated. Lubricants are strictly forbidden unless specially formulated.
Chlorine Service
Material selection depends critically on whether the chlorine is wet or dry, as moisture dramatically increases its corrosivity.
- Dry Chlorine (< 150 ppm H₂O): Carbon steel is acceptable at moderate temperatures.
- Wet Chlorine: Extremely corrosive. Requires high-performance alloys like Monel, Hastelloy C276, or Titanium (with caution). Tantalum is excellent but costly.
Abrasive/Slurry Service
Focus shifts from corrosion to erosion resistance. Hardness is a primary indicator of performance.
- Key Req's: Hardened trim materials, full-port valve designs to minimize turbulence, and sometimes specialized body linings.
- Solutions: Stellite hardfacing on seating surfaces, 400-series stainless steels (e.g., 440C), solid Tungsten Carbide, or ceramic components (e.g., Alumina, Zirconia).
3.3 Fabrication, Quality & Testing
Casting vs. Forging
The manufacturing method for the valve body and bonnet has a profound impact on its integrity.
- Casting: Molten metal poured into a mold. Allows for complex shapes but may have internal porosity. Standards: A216, A351.
- Forging: Metal shaped under immense pressure. Results in a refined grain structure, higher strength, and superior integrity, but is more expensive and limited to simpler shapes. Standards: A105, A182.
Nondestructive Examination (NDE)
NDE (or NDT) methods are used to verify the integrity of valve components without damaging them, as required by standards like ASME B16.34.
- RT (Radiography): Detects internal defects (e.g., porosity, inclusions) using X-rays or Gamma rays.
- UT (Ultrasonic): Detects internal defects using high-frequency sound waves.
- MT (Magnetic Particle): Detects surface and near-surface defects in ferromagnetic materials.
- PT (Liquid Penetrant): Detects surface-breaking defects in non-porous materials.
3.4 Protective Coatings & Linings
Internal Linings
Lining provides the corrosion resistance of an exotic material with the cost and strength of a carbon steel body.
- PTFE/PFA: Offer near-universal chemical resistance up to ~200-260°C. Common in diaphragm and plug valves.
- Rubber (Hard/Soft): Excellent for abrasion resistance and for certain chemicals like acids and alkalis, but has lower temperature limits.
External Coatings
Primarily for protection against atmospheric corrosion, especially in marine or chemical plant environments.
- Fusion Bonded Epoxy (FBE): A thick, durable powder coating providing excellent corrosion resistance. Common for buried service valves.
- Multi-Coat Paint Systems: Typically a zinc-rich primer, an epoxy mid-coat, and a polyurethane top-coat, specified to ISO 12944 for different corrosive environments (C1-C5).
Archivist's Closing Statement
Every effort has been made to include all relevant major international standards and their common equivalents, alongside the critical engineering data required for informed material selection. The data presented herein is a transcription and synthesis of established standards and engineering practices. It serves as a definitive reference but does not supersede the authority of the original standard documents, manufacturer's certified data, or the judgment of a qualified engineer for a specific application.
