Casting method are widely used in valve industry. In this article, we will discuss the merits and demerits of cast steel valve.

Merit

1. Cast steel valves are made from liquid metal, thus it is more flexible in size and shape, even in complex shape.

2. There is a great variety in terms of material and its chemical composition. Thus, alloy steel valves are often made of casting method.

3. The less complicated and expensive process leads to its wide availability.

4. Cast steel valves have a contoured shape with round edges. This makes them easy to install even in small spaces and pipelines.

Demerit

1. Some material is lost when melting. The liquid is then reworked as it is put into and removed from molds. The overall process will generate lots of material waste.

2. There can be some impurities like cracks and voids during its solidifying process. This will lead to a lower mechanical property.

3. The heat treatments can alter the micro-structure of the castings after welding. This results in higher creep and lower hardness of the valve. Rigorous inspection is required to make sure the valve has retained its strength and creep resistance after being welded.