API · ASME · DIN · EN standard industrial valves
Check Valves
Self-acting valves preventing reverse flow, protecting pumps and piping from surge damage.
Last updated: 2026-11
Family specifications
| size range | DN15 to DN1500 |
|---|---|
| pressure class | ANSI Class 125 to Class 2500 (PN10 to PN420) |
| cracking pressure | Cracking pressure is the inlet-to-outlet differential required to open the valve. If it exceeds the available differential the valve never fully opens; the internals then rattle and chatter, causing excessive wear and premature failure. |
| body materials | WCB (ASTM A216), CF8, CF8M (ASTM A351), F316, F316L (ASTM A182), F51/2205 duplex (ASTM A182), F53, F55/2507 super duplex (ASTM A182), F11, F22 alloy (ASTM A182), GG25 cast iron (EN 1561), GGG40, GGG50 ductile iron (EN 1563), C95400, C95800 aluminium bronze (ASTM B148) |
| end connections | Flanged, Butt Weld, Wafer, RTJ |
| operation | Self-acting (automatic) |
| temperature range | -196°C to 570°C |
| design standards | API 6D, API 594, ASME B16.34, EN 12334 |
| testing standards | API 598, EN 12266-1 |
| designs | Swing, Dual Plate (wafer), Single Plate, Tilting Disc, Lift, Non-Slam Swing, Pressure Seal Swing, Forged Steel Swing |
| slam mechanism | Slam is the water hammer caused by the sudden stopping of reverse flow through the check valve as it closes; the accompanying noise is pipe stretching under the surge, not disc impact on the seat. |
| slam prediction rule | Approximately 100 ft of water hammer per 1 ft/sec of reverse velocity at closure. Field experience: 50-100 ft surge (0.5-1.0 ft/sec reverse velocity) is a mild slam that can be tolerated; above 100 ft (over 1.0 ft/sec) the slam is extremely loud and should be avoided with a faster-closing valve or dashpot. |
| non slam closure principles | Close rapidly before appreciable reverse flow develops: low disc inertia and friction, short disc travel, or spring-assisted motion, Close very slowly after reverse flow develops: external oil dashpot control |
| slam potential by design | Best non-slam: nozzle check, dual disc, silent check — all spring-assisted. Middle: swing-flex and tilted disc (angled seat, short stroke). Greatest slam potential: ball check and swing check (long stroke, no spring assist). |
| orientation effect on closure | Published test data assumes horizontal installation. Gravity-reliant designs (swing, tilting disc, swing-flex) may slam more when installed in vertical pipe; spring-closure designs (dual disc, silent) close faster in vertical lines due to gravity acting on the disc. |
| cracking pressure spring range | Spring cracking pressures are available from roughly 1/8 PSI to upwards of 85 PSI depending on spring selection (single-manufacturer offered range; typical swing valves crack below 1 psi from disc weight). |
| cracking pressure vertical effect | Vertical down-flow: gravity pulls the trim weight against the spring, reducing net cracking pressure (may open or fail to reseat). Vertical up-flow: trim weight adds to the opening force required. |
| installation orientation | Swing check valves are most common horizontally with hinge/cover orientation critical to closure; vertical down-flow is design-sensitive and requires confirmation. Spring-loaded designs are more orientation-flexible, but spring-loaded does not automatically mean suitable for all positions. |
| turbulence chatter wear | Pump-discharge or elbow turbulence creates an asymmetric velocity profile; the closure element receives uneven opening force and may flutter or partially open, accelerating wear on the seat, hinge pin, spring and guides. |
| axial silent design | Axial-flow silent checks hold the disc on a spring for ultra-fast closure without backflow or pressure surge; a venturi-shaped full-port body with high pressure recovery keeps loss low. |
Ordering & documentation
Documents
Ask for the documentation set with the inquiry — typical items (material certificates, test reports to the listed inspection standard, dimensional drawings) are confirmed and supplied with the quotation.
Quotation
Send the medium, temperature, pressure, size and connection for a quotation-ready inquiry. Lead time, MOQ and price are confirmed at quotation, together with the documents to be supplied with the order.
Sample & supply
Supply terms, order quantities and lead time are agreed per order — state the destination country and required schedule with the inquiry.
Storage & shipping
Store valves with seats and seals protected from UV, ozone and deformation, and keep end-face protectors on until installation; storage limits and shipping arrangements for the selected materials are confirmed at quotation.
Frequently asked questions
What standards govern the design and testing of check valves?
The published specification for this family lists API 6D, API 594, ASME B16.34, EN 12334 as the design standards. Testing follows API 598, EN 12266-1.
What sizes and pressure ratings are available for check valves?
The published size range is DN15 to DN1500, and the published pressure ratings are ANSI Class 125 to Class 2500 (PN10 to PN420). Availability of a specific size and rating is confirmed at quotation.
What materials are check valves available in?
The published specification lists body materials: WCB (ASTM A216), CF8, CF8M (ASTM A351), F316, F316L (ASTM A182), F51/2205 duplex (ASTM A182), F53, F55/2507 super duplex (ASTM A182), F11, F22 alloy (ASTM A182), GG25 cast iron (EN 1561), GGG40, GGG50 ductile iron (EN 1563), C95400, C95800 aluminium bronze (ASTM B148). Material availability for a specific size and rating is confirmed at quotation.
What working temperature range do check valves cover?
The published working temperature range is -196°C to 570°C. For a medium at the edge of the range, confirm the suitability of the selected seat and body materials at quotation.
What end connections do check valves support?
The published specification lists Flanged, Butt Weld, Wafer, RTJ as the available end connections. The connection for a specific size is confirmed at quotation.
What should a quotation inquiry for check valves include?
The governing standard and class, nominal size, body and seat materials, the service medium with temperature, and the destination — anything missing is confirmed during quotation.
Types in this family
Type
Swing Check Valves
Swing check valves stop reverse flow with a hinged disc that swings open under forward flow and falls back onto the seat when flow slows or reverses. The range
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Dual Plate Check Valves
Dual plate check valves carry two spring-loaded semicircular plates on a centre hinge, so the plates close over a short travel while flow is still decelerating
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Lift Check Valves
Lift check valves raise a piston or ball straight off the seat under forward flow and let gravity seat it on reversal, giving a short, positive stroke suited to
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Tilting Disc Check Valves
Tilting disc check valves pivot a disc on an offset shaft, so the disc opens early under low forward flow and tilts closed with the flow rather than against it
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Pressure Seal Swing Check Valves
Pressure seal swing check valves use the line pressure itself to load the bonnet gasket, which is why power and high-pressure process plants use them where bolt
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Axial Flow Check Valves
Axial flow check valves close a spring-assisted, streamlined disc along the flow axis, so reverse flow is arrested before it can accelerate and slam — the no-wa
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Foot Valves
Foot valves are check valves fitted at the intake of a suction line, holding pump priming by stopping the column from draining back when the pump stops; an inte
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Triple Duty Valves
Triple-duty valves fold three pump-discharge functions into one quarter-turn body - calibrated flow balancing, non-slam check, and positive shut-off - cutting m
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Silent Check Valves
Silent check valves stop reverse flow before it can accelerate: a spring-assisted disc travels a short stroke and seats quietly, avoiding the slam and water ham
View specifications →Request a quote for check valves
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