API 6A standard 10000psi ball valve material selection

[Sean_Wei]

Can ASTM A-182 F316/316L material be used for ball valve body which follows API 6A standard and 10,000psi rating ?

API 6A table-7 shows body material designations for pressure rating 69.0MPa(10,000psi) is 36K,60K,75K,NS while the yield strength of ASTM A-182 F316/316L is 205 MPa(30K). So this means ASTM A-182 F316/316L is strictly forbidden，or can be used with thicker body size？

Thanks
Sean

 

[jmec87]

36K is the required specified minimum yield strength for the material to be able to use it for a 10,000psi-rated body. You cannot use 30K material regardless of thickness.

You are not required to use ASTM specifications, so you can write your own 316 material specification with 36K minimum yield and use that (provided that this strength is achievable and you can find a supplier of it).

Note that the minimum required strength for 10,000psi-rated flanges is 60K and threaded connectors are not allowed for 10,000psi, so you'll have to either find a way to integrate stronger flanges into your body or use a suitable other end connector (OEC).

 

[Sean_Wei]

36K is the required specified minimum yield strength for the material to be able to use it for a 10,000psi-rated body. You cannot use 30K material regardless of thickness.

You are not required to use ASTM specifications, so you can write your own 316 material specification with 36K minimum yield and use that (provided that this strength is achievable and you can find a supplier of it).

Note that the minimum required strength for 10,000psi-rated flanges is 60K and threaded connectors are not allowed for 10,000psi, so you'll have to either find a way to integrate stronger flanges into your body or use a suitable other end connector (OEC).

Thanks a million for your response.

Actually，the end type of valve is VIAR LOCK hub type with clamps，and valve body is 3 pieces(2 hub ends + 1 body). In this case，two more question need your help

1）Is A-182 F316/316L suitable for materials of clamp？should be 60K minimum or not；

2）Hence they are 3-piece valve， their 2 hub ends of valves are “body” or “end connector”？

 

[jmec87]

1) The clamp would be considered an "Other End Connector" (OEC), so per Table 7, the material requirements are PMR (per manufacturer's requirement). So as long as it meets the design/stress requirements in Section 5, you can use whatever material you want. It may be difficult to meet the design requirements using 30K material, so carefully check this and ensure you have the calculations and validation testing records to show it's ok.

2) The definition of "body" in 3.1.8 is "Any portion of wellhead and tree equipment that includes one or more end connectors and is designed to be exposed to and contain well bore pressure and fluid." I think the 2 hub ends meet this definition, so the hub ends would be both "body" and "end connector", and have to meet all requirements for both. You might be able to argue that the middle portion of the valve does not meet this definition and is thus exempt from the body requirements, but I think this would be contrary to the intent of the standard and is not very reasonable.

 

[Sean_Wei]

1) The clamp would be considered an "Other End Connector" (OEC), so per Table 7, the material requirements are PMR (per manufacturer's requirement). So as long as it meets the design/stress requirements in Section 5, you can use whatever material you want. It may be difficult to meet the design requirements using 30K material, so carefully check this and ensure you have the calculations and validation testing records to show it's ok.

2) The definition of "body" in 3.1.8 is "Any portion of wellhead and tree equipment that includes one or more end connectors and is designed to be exposed to and contain well bore pressure and fluid." I think the 2 hub ends meet this definition, so the hub ends would be both "body" and "end connector", and have to meet all requirements for both. You might be able to argue that the middle portion of the valve does not meet this definition and is thus exempt from the body requirements, but I think this would be contrary to the intent of the standard and is not very reasonable.

Really appreciate！