Valves are core control components of industrial pipeline systems, and their performance directly affects the system’s safety, reliability, and operational efficiency. From petrochemicals to building ventilation, from nuclear power equipment to turbine intake systems, the formulation and implementation of valve standards permeate every stage of design, manufacturing, inspection, and application.
The global valve standard system is centered on international standards (ISO), American standards (API/ASME), European standards (EN), and Chinese standards (GB/JB).
International Standards (ISO): As the most universally applicable standards system globally, ISO standards cover the entire lifecycle of valves, including design, materials, testing, and safety. For example, ISO 5208 “Industrial valves, pressure testing” aligns with GB/T 13927 “Industrial valves, pressure testing,” becoming the universal guideline for valve pressure testing globally; ISO 17292 “Metallic ball valves” and API 6D jointly dominate the high-end ball valve market.
American Standards (API/ASME): Leveraging the global influence of the petroleum industry, API standards have become the “gold standard” in the oil and gas pipeline field. API 6D, “Pipeline Valves,” specifies the design specifications for bolted-connected steel gate valves with bonnets. Its Class pressure ratings (e.g., Class 150/300/600) complement the PN system of GB standards. API 598, “Valve Inspection and Testing,” requires 100% radiographic testing (RT) of critical valves, far exceeding the sampling inspection standards allowed by GB.
European Standards (EN): Characterized by safety and environmental requirements, EN standards dominate the EU market. EN 12516, “Valve Body Strength,” has technical parameters similar to GB/T 12224, but requires PED (Pressure Equipment Directive) certification. EN 593, “Butterfly Valves,” has technical parameters consistent with GB/T 12238, but mandates CE marking.
Chinese Standards (GB/JB): As the core basis for China’s valve industry, GB standards cover the entire process of design, manufacturing, and inspection. GB/T 12237, “Flanged and Butt-Welded Steel Ball Valves,” was developed with reference to API 6D and has become the “technical constitution” for ball valve production in China. GB/T 14478-2025, “Basic Technical Specifications for Inlet Valves of Large and Medium-Sized Hydropower Turbines,” targets the clean energy sector, reducing the leakage coefficient of ball valves from 0.004 to 0.002, thus promoting technological upgrades in the industry.
In addition, there are JIS standards. JIS valve standards are an important part of the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) system, primarily used to regulate the design, manufacture, inspection, and application of valves, and have a wide influence, especially in the Asian market.
The Impact of Valve Standards on Valve Manufacturing
The impact of valve standards on valve manufacturing is fundamental, permeating every stage from design and material selection to production and inspection. They can be understood as the “laws” and “blueprints” of valve manufacturing, setting the bottom line that must be followed and indicating the direction of technological innovation.
Standardized Structure and Dimensions
The standards clearly specify the structural length of valves (such as EN 558, ASME B16.10), flange connection dimensions (such as EN 1092-1, ASME B16.5), and welding end requirements (such as EN 12982), ensuring interchangeability of products from different manufacturers and reducing installation and maintenance costs.
Material Selection and Validation
Standards strictly specify the chemical composition and mechanical properties of materials such as valve bodies and seals (e.g., API 600 requires high-strength stainless steel or alloy steel) and enforce material certification (e.g., EN 10204) to ensure product reliability under high temperature, high pressure, or corrosive conditions.
Systematized Quality Control
1. Manufacturing Process Control
The standard requires the establishment of a full-process quality control system, including:
- Casting surface quality (free from defects such as porosity and sand inclusions)
- Bolt connection quality grade (such as the new bolt connection grade requirements in GB/T 20173)
- Welding process verification (such as weld overlay detection).
2. Standardization of Inspection and Testing
Valves must pass mandatory tests:
- Shell strength test (e.g., API 598, ISO 5208)
- Sealing performance test (graded leakage rate requirements)
- Special operating condition verification (e.g., fire resistance test API 607, hydrogen sulfide resistance test).
Valve standards are not only a constraint on manufacturing but also a catalyst for industry progress. They drive companies from “compliant production” to “technological innovation,” and from the “domestic market” to “global competition.”
Newton’s valves not only meet valve standard certifications but also undergo comprehensive inspection throughout the production process. From factory inspection of valve castings and internal parts, to semi-finished product assembly inspection, performance testing, and finally finished product inspection, detailed inspection reports are issued, providing the most robust guarantee for your use.
