What is the difference between forged steel valves and cast steel valves?
Forged steel valves and cast steel valves have obvious differences in manufacturing process, material properties, scope of use and cost:
1. Manufacturing process
(1) Forged steel valves
Forging process: Heat the steel billet to a plastic state, apply pressure through a forging machine to cause the material to undergo plastic deformation and form the desired shape.
Advantages: dense metal structure, fine grains, few internal defects, and good mechanical properties.
Disadvantages: complex process, relatively low production efficiency, and high cost.
(2) Cast steel valves
Casting process: Pour the molten steel into a mold, cool and solidify to form a valve.
Advantages: Can manufacture valves with complex shapes and large sizes, with low production costs.
Disadvantages: Easy to produce internal defects such as pores, shrinkage, slag inclusions, etc., which affect material properties.
2. Material properties
(1) Forged steel valves
High strength and toughness: During the forging process, the metal grains are refined and the structure is uniform, which improves the strength and impact resistance of the material.
High pressure and high temperature resistance: Suitable for harsh working conditions such as high temperature and high pressure.
(2) Cast steel valves
Relatively low strength and toughness: Due to the existence of casting defects, the overall strength and toughness of the material are not as good as forged steel valves.
Resistant to medium and low pressure and medium temperature: Suitable for working conditions where temperature and pressure changes little.
3. Scope of use
(1) Forged steel valves
High temperature and high pressure environment: Such as thermal power plants, oil and gas pipelines, etc.
Large diameter valves: Forged steel valves can meet the needs of large diameter and high strength.
Important equipment and key parts: Occasions with high requirements for safety and reliability.
(2) Cast steel valves:
Medium and low pressure systems: Such as urban water supply, heating, general industrial pipelines, etc.
Small and medium diameter valves: Suitable for manufacturing small and medium sized valves.
Valves with complex shapes: Able to produce valves with complex structures to meet special needs.
4. Sealing performance
(1) Forged steel valves: After forging and precision processing, the sealing surface quality is high and the sealing performance is better.
(2) Cast steel valves: There may be casting defects and the sealing performance is relatively weak, but it can still meet the requirements under general working conditions.
5. Appearance and weight
(1) Forged steel valve: smooth surface, compact structure, relatively light weight.
(2) Cast steel valve: there may be casting marks on the surface, the structure is relatively loose, and the weight is heavy.
Summary
Forged steel valves and cast steel valves each have their own characteristics and application range. When choosing, you should consider the specific working conditions, pressure and temperature requirements, medium characteristics, and budget to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the valve.