Valves and actuators require BÖHLER steels and alloys with high strength and corrosion resistance. Key quality features include ultra-clean materials, full traceability, controlled heat treatment, and rigorous testing for reliable oil & gas and CPI performance.
Valves and actuators in the oil & gas and Chemical Process Industry (CPI) are critical components for controlling and regulating the flow of aggressive fluids under extreme pressures and temperatures. These systems are exposed to corrosive environments containing CO₂, H₂S, chlorides, and chemical media, combined with dynamic loading, pressure cycling, and thermal fluctuations. Material requirements are therefore highly demanding, focusing on high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, resistance to stress corrosion cracking, and long-term dimensional stability. In addition, materials must ensure reliable sealing performance and resistance to wear and erosion in critical contact areas.
BÖHLER high-performance steels and alloys are specifically engineered to meet these stringent requirements. Advanced stainless steels, including austenitic, duplex, and precipitation-hardened grades, as well as high-alloy and nickel-based materials, offer optimized combinations of strength, corrosion resistance, and durability. Produced using advanced melting and refining technologies, BÖHLER materials ensure exceptional cleanliness, low inclusion content, and homogeneous microstructures, enhancing reliability and service life. Key quality features include strict control of chemical composition, certified traceability, and precisely controlled heat treatment processes. Comprehensive testing, including corrosion resistance, pressure integrity, and non-destructive inspection, ensures compliance with industry standards. BÖHLER materials enable safe, efficient, and long-lasting valve and actuator solutions.
BÖHLER N700 is a corrosion-resistant steel in the form of bars, wire and forgings in the solution-annealed condition. It is a martensitic, precipitation-hardenable chromium-nickel-copper steel with high strength and toughness. Further increases in strength can be achieved by cold forming and subsequent precipitation hardening. These products are typically used for parts that require higher corrosion resistance than the usual 13% or 17% chromium steels and high strength up to 316 °C. However, their use is not limited to such applications. Remelting processes are used to improve steel purity and homogeneity. (ESR, PESR, VAR) Certain processing methods and operating conditions can make these products susceptible to stress corrosion cracking. For applications such as bolting where stress corrosion cracking is possible, the product should be aged for at least 4 hours at the highest temperature compatible with the strength requirements, but in no case lower than 552 °C. Typical applications for reactor construction and highly stressed pump parts, springs and ship shafts.
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