What is the reason for poor sealing of gate valves?

What is the reason for poor sealing of gate valves?

In industrial production and various fluid control scenarios, gate valves are commonly used valve types, but sometimes there may be problems with poor sealing. What is the reason behind this?

The quality problem of the gate valve itself is the first to bear the brunt. Some small manufacturers choose inferior materials when producing gate valves to reduce costs. For example, the sealing surface material hardness and wear resistance of the valve seat and gate are insufficient. After frequent switching operations or long-term contact with the medium, the sealing surface is prone to wear and scratches, resulting in poor sealing and leakage. Moreover, the machining accuracy of gate valves is also crucial. If the dimensional tolerances of components such as the valve body and valve cover exceed the standard, and the clearance between each component is too large, it will also cause sealing failure, making the gate valve unable to perform its sealing function normally.

Improper installation is also a common reason for poor sealing of gate valves. During the installation process, if the installation instructions are not strictly followed, such as installing the gate valve in the wrong direction or not ensuring the coaxiality between the gate valve and the pipeline, the gate valve will be subjected to additional stress during operation, resulting in deformation of the sealing surface and affecting the sealing performance. In addition, if the sealing surface is not cleaned during installation, impurities, dust, and other residues on the sealing surface can also damage the sealing effect and cause leakage.

The issues related to usage and maintenance cannot be ignored. During the use of gate valves, if the operation is too rough and frequent rapid opening and closing occurs, it will cause severe impact between the gate and valve seat, damaging the sealing surface. Moreover, if the gate valve is not regularly maintained for a long time, the sealing surface may rust and corrode, leading to a decrease in sealing performance. At the same time, the characteristics of the medium will also affect the sealing of the gate valve. For example, if the medium contains solid particles, it will wear down the sealing surface like sandpaper, gradually causing the gate valve to lose its sealing ability.

Poor sealing of gate valves may be caused by various factors such as their own quality, installation, and maintenance. Only by identifying the specific cause can effective solutions be taken to ensure the normal operation of the gate valve.