Valves are an indispensable part of industry and life, and their quality and performance directly affect the effectiveness of fluid control. As the two main types of valves, forged steel valves and cast steel valves have their own characteristics and advantages in practical applications. This article will detail the differences between these two types of valves.
First of all, from the perspective of manufacturing process, the main difference between forged steel valves and cast steel valves lies in the processing form of steel. Forging is a plastic deformation process, through forging, the internal structure of the steel is improved, the grain distribution is more uniform, and the mechanical properties are improved. In contrast, casting is a process of liquid casting molding. During the casting process, the structure of the steel may develop deflections or defects, resulting in relatively poor mechanical properties.
In terms of material properties specifically, the forging process gives forged steel valves a higher quality. Due to the force extrusion of the steel during the forging process, a well-defined grain structure is formed, which makes the forged steel valve have higher mechanical strength and toughness, and can withstand greater impact forces. Cast steel valves, on the other hand, have relatively low strength and toughness due to the structural defects that may occur during the casting process.
In terms of applicability, because the cast steel valve has good fluidity and formability, it is especially suitable for the production of parts with complex shapes that are difficult to forge or cut and form. At the same time, cast steel valves offer certain advantages in some special applications such as fluid control systems, due to their ability to produce materials containing hollow spaces or cavities. Forged steel valves, on the other hand, focus more on producing a uniform and simple material to maximize their mechanical properties.
In addition, considering the size and weight, the casting process has no obvious size or shape limitations, and parts of various sizes and shapes can be produced. Whereas, the forging process may require higher equipment and power when handling large materials, which gives casting a certain advantage when dealing with large parts.
As for the cost, because the equipment used in the casting process is relatively simple and low-cost, cast steel valves may be more competitive in some occasions with high requirements for cost control. However, the forging process may be more cost-effective in the long run due to its ability to improve the mechanical properties of the material and extend the service life of the parts.
In summary, forged steel valves and cast steel valves have their own characteristics and application advantages. In practice, the right valve type should be selected according to the specific needs and scenarios. For example, forged steel valves may be a better choice in applications that require high strength and toughness, such as high-pressure fluid control or critical equipment; When it comes to producing parts with complex shapes and good flow, cast steel valves are more advantageous.