The industrial valves industry has its own “language.” Whether you’re an engineer, a procurement manager, or part of the operations team, you’ll often hear technical shortcuts, slang, and standard terms. At S S Cast Valves Pvt. Ltd., a leading industrial valve manufacturer in India with ISO and IBR certifications and an in-house foundry, we know how important it is to understand these terms to ensure smooth communication and correct valve selection.
This guide will help you decode the common terminology, materials, and valve types widely used in oil & gas, petrochemicals, power, shipbuilding, and process industries.
Common Valve Materials
- WCB – Wrought Carbon Steel, most common for water, steam, and oil applications.
- LCB – Low Carbon Steel, suitable for low-temperature service.
- CF8 – Stainless Steel 304, used in chemical and general industries.
- CF8M – Stainless Steel 316, preferred in marine, oil & gas, and corrosive environments.
- CN7M – Alloy Steel, excellent for highly corrosive media such as seawater and acids.
- WC6 / WC9 – Chrome-Moly Steel, used in high-temperature and high-pressure applications.
- Bronze / Brass – Non-ferrous alloys, common in small valves and seawater applications.
- CuNi (Copper-Nickel) – Extensively used in shipbuilding and marine industries.
Types of Industrial Valves and Shortcuts
- GV – Gate Valve, for isolation with minimal pressure drop.
- GLV – Globe Valve, for throttling and flow regulation.
- SCV – Swing Check Valve, prevents reverse flow automatically.
- BV – Ball Valve, quick on/off with tight sealing.
- PBV – Plug Valve, compact and reliable for isolation.
- BFV – Butterfly Valve, lightweight, ideal for large-diameter service.
- Y-Strainer – Filters debris before it enters a system.
- PRV – Pressure Relief Valve, protects equipment from overpressure.
- NRV – Non-Return Valve, prevents reverse flow in pipelines.
Types of Industrial Valves and Shortcuts
- Trim – The internal moving parts of the valve like disc, stem, and seat.
- Full Bore – Valve bore equals pipe bore, ensuring no flow restriction.
- Reduced Bore – Slightly smaller bore, cost-effective but some flow loss.
- Rising Stem – Stem visibly moves upward as valve opens.
- NRS (Non-Rising Stem) – Stem does not rise; ideal where space is limited.
- Flanged End – Valves with bolted flange connections.
- Butt Weld (BW) – Welded end connections for pipelines.
- Socket Weld (SW) – Welded end connection for small-sized valves.
- Blowdown – Releasing fluid to flush out impurities.
- Hydro Test – Hydrostatic pressure test for valve integrity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: What is the difference between Gate Valve and Globe Valve?
Gate Valves are used mainly for isolation (fully open/close) with minimal pressure drop, while Globe Valves are better for throttling and flow regulation.
Q2: What does WCB mean in valves?
WCB stands for Wrought Carbon Steel, the most widely used material in industrial valve manufacturing.
Q3: What is PN rating in valves?
PN stands for Pressure Nominal and defines the valve’s pressure rating in bar (example: PN 16 = 16 bar).
Q4: What does Class 150 or Class 300 mean in valves?
These are ASME pressure ratings that define pressure-temperature limits of valves.
Q5: Why are Y-Strainers important?
They protect downstream equipment such as pumps and compressors by filtering impurities.
Why Choose S S Cast Valves Pvt. Ltd.?
At S S Cast Valves Pvt. Ltd., we specialize in Gate, Globe, Swing Check, Ball Valves, and Y-Type Strainers. We manufacture using Cast Steel, Alloy Steel, Stainless Steel, and Copper-Nickel Alloys, with complete control over quality through our in-house foundry, machining, assembly, and testing facilities.
Being an ISO and IBR approved valve manufacturer in India, we are a trusted supplier to BPCL, IOCL, BARC, and multiple shipyards across India. We have extensive experience supplying to critical industries including oil & gas, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, and power plants.
Understanding industrial valve terminology ensures smoother technical communication, correct procurement, and prevents costly mistakes. If you are looking for a reliable and certified industrial valve supplier for oil & gas, marine, and process industries, partner with S S Cast Valves Pvt. Ltd. – your trusted source for quality and performance.
