Forging Supplier for Global Valve Manufacturers: API 6D and API 600 Applications

August 7, 2026


Industrial valves — the flow control devices in oil and gas pipelines, petrochemical process systems, power generation, and water treatment are among the largest consumers of forged steel components in the industrial sector. API 6D (pipeline valves), API 600 (bolted bonnet steel gate valves), and ASME B16.34 govern the most widely used valve categories globally. Global valve manufacturers Emerson (Fisher), Flowserve (Durco, Kammer), IMI (CCI), Cameron (SLB), and Velan procure forged valve bodies, bonnets, and pressure housings from qualified API 20B certified forging manufacturers worldwide.

Valve Type / StandardMaterialSize RangeKey OEM
Gate valve body — API 600A182 F316L, A105 equiv2″ – 24″ (DN50–DN600)Emerson, Flowserve, IMI, Velan
Ball valve body — API 6D4130, A182 F316L, duplex 22052″ – 56″ (DN50–DN1400)Cameron, Emerson, Neles (Metso)
Check valve body — API 6D4130, A182 F304L4″ – 48″ (DN100–DN1200)Flowserve, Valvtechnologies
Control valve body — ASME B16.344130, Inconel 625, duplex 25071″ – 16″ (DN25–DN400)Emerson Fisher, Samson, Metso
Subsea gate valve body — API 17DSuper duplex 2507, Inconel 6252″ – 16″ (DN50–DN400)TechnipFMC, Aker, OneSubsea

Global valve manufacturers source forged valve bodies the primary pressure-containing component of a valve from qualified forging manufacturers under API 20B or equivalent quality programmes. The valve body forging is the highest-value single forging in any valve assembly, typically representing 40–60% of the total valve manufacturing cost. For a large-bore (DN600) carbon steel API 6D ball valve body, the rough-forged body weighs 500–1,500 kg and has a forging cost of $5,000–25,000.

Valve body forging geometry requires closed die forging for smaller sizes (DN50–DN200) and open die plus machining for larger sizes (DN300 and above). The internal flow path geometry cannot be forged directly the valve body is forged to approximately net external shape, then the internal flow path is machined. For high-pressure valves (Class 2500, 420 bar working pressure), the valve body wall thickness is substantial the forging must achieve mechanical properties throughout the thick section, requiring adequate section thickness reduction during forging.

For oil and gas pipeline service, API 6D governs ball valves, gate valves, plug valves, and check valves used in pipeline service. API 6D valves in sour gas service require valve body forgings compliant with NACE MR0175 maximum hardness 22 HRC for carbon and low alloy steel (4130M). For subsea valves, API 17D applies governing subsea tree gate valves. API 17D valve body forgings require API 20B PSL 3 or PSL 4.

The global valve market valued at approximately $80 billion annually is served by a mix of large multinational valve manufacturers and regional specialists. Indian valve manufacturers are already significant global valve suppliers L&T Valves and BHEL produce API 6D and API 600 valves for oil and gas globally. Indian forging manufacturers supplying valve body forgings access both the global valve OEM market and the domestic Indian valve manufacturing market.

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Vinir Engineering — Capability for this Market

  1. API 20B PSL 1–3.
  2. Valve body forgings: 4130 and 4130M alloy steel (NACE MR0175 sour service), A182 F316L austenitic stainless, A182 F51 duplex 2205, A182 F53 super duplex 2507, Inconel 625.
  3. Closed die valve body forgings 1–500 kg (DN50–DN250).
  4. Open die valve body rough forgings 500–5,000 kg (DN300–DN600+).
  5.  100% UT per ASTM A388.
  6. PMI on all CRA forgings.
  7. NACE MR0175 hardness verification.
  8. API 6D and API 600 material certification format.
  9. TPI by Bureau Veritas, Intertek, and SGS.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the difference between API 6D and API 600 for valve body forging requirements?+–
API 6D (Pipeline Valves) governs ball valves, gate valves, check valves, and plug valves used in pipeline service including gas transmission pipelines, crude oil pipelines, and liquid petroleum pipelines. API 6D valves must pass an API 6D production test (hydrostatic shell test and seat leakage test). API 600 (Bolted Bonnet Steel Gate Valves) is the older, narrower standard governing gate valves specifically originally developed for refinery and process plant service. For valve body forging supply, API 6D applications cover the highest-volume pipeline valve sizes in 4130, 4130M, F316L, and duplex grades. Both require API 20B-qualified forging manufacturers.
2.How do valve class ratings (Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500) affect forging wall thickness and material requirements?+–
ASME B16.34 defines pressure classes based on maximum allowable working pressure at temperature. Class 150 valves have maximum working pressure approximately 20 bar at ambient; Class 2500 valves approximately 420 bar. Higher pressure classes require thicker valve body walls which means heavier forgings. For a DN100 (4″) ball valve: Class 150 body may weigh 15–25 kg, while Class 2500 body weighs 80–150 kg in 4130 alloy steel. High-pressure-class valve body forgings (Class 900 and above) represent the highest value-per-kilogram products and the categories where Indian cost advantage is most commercially significant.
3.What is a trunnion-mounted ball valve and what forging geometry does it require?+–
A trunnion-mounted ball valve has the ball supported on upper and lower trunnion pivots rather than floating freely in the valve body. Trunnion mounting is used for larger valves (DN150 and above) and higher-pressure classes (Class 600 and above) where pressure force on the floating ball would exceed practicable seat load. The trunnion-mounted ball valve body requires: the main body forging (containing the flow path and seat pocket), a top flange forging (the bonnet sealing the trunnion and stem area), and in some designs a bottom trunnion flange forging. A large trunnion ball valve (DN600, Class 600) main body forging may weigh 2,000–5,000 kg.
4.What Brazilian certification requirements apply to pressure equipment imported into Brazil?+–
ASME B16.34 (Valves – Flanged, Threaded and Welding End) is the dimensional and pressure-temperature rating standard for industrial valves used in ASME B31.3 process piping. B16.34 defines which ASTM material grades are permissible for valve bodies at each pressure class and temperature listing permitted forging grades including A182 F316L for stainless valves, 4130 for carbon steel, A182 F51 for duplex, and Inconel 625 for high-alloy. B16.34 also specifies the hydrostatic shell test pressure (1.5× maximum allowable working pressure) that each valve body must pass after machining.
5.How do Indian valve body forging manufacturers compete with Chinese suppliers in the global valve industry?+–
China is a major global valve body forging supplier producing large volumes of API 6D valve body forgings in carbon steel. The Indian cost advantage versus Chinese supply for standard carbon steel valve bodies is modest approximately 5–15% ex-works. The Indian competitive advantage is stronger for NACE sour service forgings, CRA forgings (duplex, super duplex, Inconel), API 20B PSL 3 quality documentation, and markets with geopolitical supply chain diversification pressure. European and US valve OEMs are actively seeking to reduce Chinese supply concentration creating openings for Indian suppliers with reliable quality documentation and supply chain stability.