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Metal Seated Valve Balls and Seats for High-Pressure and Abrasive Applications

Metal seated valve balls and seats are critical components of metal seated ball valves used in demanding operating environments. They are designed for applications involving high pressure, elevated temperatures, and abrasive media, including solid particles, molten slurry, coal-fired power generation processes, hot ash, steam, and other industrial fluids.

Depending on the valve design, these components can support reliable shutoff under challenging conditions. Features such as anti-static construction, hard coatings, full-bore or reduced-bore designs, and fire-safe configurations help meet different industrial operating requirements.

Hard Coatings for Wear Resistance

Metal valve balls and seats are generally manufactured from base metals and treated with hard coatings to improve surface durability. Available coating materials include hard chrome, tungsten carbide, Stellite, and Ni60.

Different coating processes can be selected according to the component material and application requirements. Available technologies include laser cladding, high-velocity oxy-fuel (HVOF) coating, oxy-acetylene flame spraying, and plasma spraying. These processes provide options for applications where surface hardness, wear resistance, and service conditions are important considerations.

Precision Lapping for Reliable Sealing

The contact surfaces of the ball and seat must fit accurately to achieve effective sealing. A dedicated lapping process is used to improve roundness and surface conformity between coated balls and seats.

By rotating the ball and seat in the same or opposite directions during lapping, the process helps achieve a precise mating fit. This contributes to reliable sealing performance, although the actual leakage rate depends on component tolerances, valve design, test conditions, and applicable standards.

Metal Seated Valve Ball and Seat Specifications

• Design basis: API 6D and customer requirements

• Temperature range: -50.8°F to 1,022°F (-46°C to 550°C)

• Size range: NPS 1–24 (DN 25–600)

• Pressure rating: ASME Class 150–2500

• Face-to-face dimensions: According to API 6D

• End connections: RF and RTJ according to ASME B16.5 and B16.47; butt-weld connections according to ASME B16.25; socket-weld connections according to ASME B16.11; hub connections

• Body design: Forged or cast, two-piece or three-piece construction

• Seat design: Metal seated, with hardfacing on the ball and seats

• Available materials: Carbon steel, stainless steel, low