DO YOUR VALVE SEATS GET A FAILING GRADE?

DO YOUR VALVE SEATS GET A FAILING GRADE?

Valves are very important devices that are used for a lot of applications ranging from residential to industrial uses. A good valve represents a lot of complex designs, structures and different parts all put together to function as a unit. Valves are used to regulate the flow of material in a piping system or in a machine. The several parts that make up a valve, all work in unison to achieve this task andthe integrity of a valve depends greatly on the condition of its different parts.

One very important cog in a valve is the seat. The importance of having a high-quality valve seat cannot be over-emphasized. When a valve seat fails, it could give rise to several problems that can be costly, time-consuming and could even be life threatening in environments vulnerable to explosions. Just like any other component or device, valve seats can  malfunction, deteriorate or fail and failure could be due to number of reasons – some of which could be human error.

So, if your valve is getting a fail grade, it becomes important for you to know why. Knowing why can greatly help you get rid of present problems and avoid future ones.

Here are the most common reasons why valve seats fail:

Poor Seat Design

The valve seat is arguably the most important component of a valve. If the valve seat fails, the whole valve is bound to fail. Hence, it is important to have a valve seat that has a great design that will ensure its efficiency and longevity. Consequences of having a poor seat design ranges from minimal leaks to complete valve failure or some life-threatening problems.

Poor Choice Of Material

Valves are important devices that are required for different applications. Selecting a valve seat made https://www.kp-lok.com/product/purge-valves/ of a material that is not suitable for the required application can cause the valve to lock, leak or fail. Before choosing a valve seat, it is important to study the various properties of the material it is made with. This will help to determine if it is compatible for the required application and also help to prevent problems and failure.

Temperature Spikes

Most valve seats are designed to resist temperature, but not all are designed to resist very high temperatures or sudden spikes in the temperature levels which can be extremely low or extremely high. An unsteady and extreme temperature behavior can seriously deteriorate the valve seat.

Excessive Pressure Or Friction

When temperature increases, it leads to an increase in pressure between the valve seat and the ball. This rise in pressure results in greater friction in the valve. In extreme cases, excessive friction can cause the valve to lock in place and can also cause cracks.

Conclusion

If your valve seat is getting a fail grade, then you should know there’s something wrong. Valve seat failure can be the cause of several problems, so special care should be taken to avoid this failure. In order to prevent failure, make sure to consult a specialist before starting a project.