WB36 Forged Valve Body for High-Pressure and High-Temperature Applications
A WB36 forged valve body, also known as an alloy steel forged valve body, is a high-strength pressure-containing component manufactured from WB36 (15NiCuMoNb5-6-4). This alloy is widely used in high-pressure steam systems, power generation pipelines, and critical process industries due to its excellent creep resistance, toughness, and long-term stability at elevated temperatures.
Description
What Is a WB36 Forged Valve Body?
A WB36 forged valve body or alloy steel forged valve body is a one-piece high-strength primary pressure component made out of WB36 (15NiCuMoNb5-6-4) material. Due to its outstanding resistance to creep, toughness, and long-term stability at high temperatures, this alloy has found wide application in high-pressure steam systems, power generation piping, and the process industry.
Forged WB36 valve bodies have vastly improved mechanical strength as compared to cast ones, hence they are the first choice for pressure seal valves, high-pressure gate valves, globe valves, and special-purpose industrial valves.
Key Features of WB36 Alloy Steel Forged Valve Body
1. Superior Structural Integrity
The alloy WB36 steel is forged under carefully controlled temperature and pressure conditions to achieve a dense and homogeneous material structure. The forging operation breaks out the defects arising from the casting process such as porosity and shrinkage cavities, and also cracks in this case thus performance under extreme pressure regime is guaranteed.
2. Excellent High-Temperature Creep Resistance
By using Ni-Cu-Mo-Nb as alloying elements, WB36 maintains its creep resistance even when performing in hot service for long periods. In this way, it is of utmost importance for very hot steam lines, power plants valve systems, and thermal pipeline safety control equipment.
3. Suitable for Severe Pressure Conditions
Body of valves that underwent forging with the WB36 steel, depending on requirements of the customer, may range in pressure classes from PN160, PN250, up to even PN320 and higher. In general, these kinds of valve bodies are found in butt-welded pressure seal gate valves, forged globe valves, high-pressure check valves, and other mission-critical components.
4. Excellent Weldability and Service Life
WB36 allows secure welding to pipe systems without compromising strength. After correct post-weld heat treatment, the valve body maintains stable performance and long service life in continuous operation.
Manufacturing Process of WB36 Forged Valve Body
1. Material Selection and Raw Steel Inspection
High-quality WB36 alloy is sourced from certified steel mills. Each heat number is inspected for chemical composition and cleanliness to ensure compliance with EN and DIN standards.
2. Open-Die or Closed-Die Forging
Large WB36 valve bodies are typically produced through open-die forging, while medium-sized components may use precision closed-die forging. The forging steps include:
Heating the billet to controlled forging temperature
Upsetting, drawing, forming
Removing internal segregation and refining grain structure
3. Rough Machining and Heat Treatment
After forging, the semi-finished body undergoes:
Normalizing
Quenching & tempering
Stress relieving
Rough machining
These processes ensure dimensional stability and mechanical consistency.
4. Final CNC Machining
The valve body is precision-machined to achieve tight tolerances for sealing surfaces, threads, bores, and welding ends.
5. Non-Destructive Testing and Quality Inspection
Each forged valve body is tested according to project requirements:
Ultrasonic Testing (UT)
Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI)
Hydrostatic or pneumatic pressure testing
Dimensional verification
PMI and hardness testing
These inspections ensure the forged body meets international valve manufacturing standards.
Applications of WB36 Forged Valve Body
WB36 forged valve bodies are widely used in industries requiring high-pressure, high-temperature, and long-service performance:
Power generation (supercritical & ultra-supercritical systems)
Petrochemical and refinery pipelines
High-temperature steam distribution systems
Pressure seal valves in thermal power plants
High-pressure feedwater, reheater, and steam isolation valves
Why Choose Our WB36 Alloy Steel Forged Valve Bodies?
Over 20 years of experience in alloy steel forging
Full machining capability for valve bodies, valve shells, blocks, and casings
Strict quality control based on EN, DIN, ASTM, and international valve standards
Support for customized designs, special pressure classes, and OEM valve projects
Reliable delivery for global power and petrochemical customers
Whether you need WB36 forged valve bodies, custom alloy steel valve components, or complete valve body machining services, we provide professional solutions tailored to your application
