Stainless Steel Valve Stems Applications
Stainless steel valve stems are often made from an alloy of carbon and chromium, such as 17-4PH. While it's common to find 316SS valve stems, these aren't the only options. Alloys like Inconel 718 and 22Cr duplex body valves are also available. Some stem materials can be used for ball and bolting components, including subsea valves.
The Stainless Steel Valve Stem is made of a packing assembly made of carbon spacers and stainless steel washers. The stem is exposed to steam and water, and its base material is type 410 stainless steel, a low carbon, 13deg/0 chromium martensitic stainless steel. This type of stainless steel is corrosion-resistant in a wide range of environments, and it was case-hardened by nitriding to improve its wear resistance.
Stainless steel is also used to make valve stems for high-performance engines. Alloy 17-4PH has a martensitic precipitation surface and is better resistant to corrosive attack than its 400-series counterpart. The alloy 20Cb-3 (also known as UNS S21900) offers higher nickel content and better corrosion resistance than the 300-series alloy, but costs more than Monel K500.
