Factory pressure testing is the final quality verification gate ensuring every manufactured industrial valve meets pressure-containment integrity and sealing shutoff criteria before shipment. The two primary international inspection standards governing valve testing are API 598 (Valve Inspection and Testing) and ISO 5208 (Industrial Valves - Pressure Testing of Metallic Valves).
The test sequence begins with the Hydrostatic Shell Test conducted at 1.5 times the valve Cold Working Pressure (CWP) rating at 38°C (100°F). The valve is partially opened, ends are blanked, and test water is pressurized to 1.5x CWP. Holding durations range from 15 seconds for valves ≤ 2" up to 300 seconds for valves ≥ 14". Zero structural deformation, wall sweating, or packing leakage is permitted.
Next, the High-Pressure Hydrostatic Seat Test is performed at 1.1 times CWP with the valve closed, testing each seat independently. For resilient soft-seated valves (PTFE, PEEK, FKM), zero visible leakage is mandatory. For metal-seated valves, API 598 Table 6 defines allowable drop leakage rates (e.g., maximum 20 drops/min for 6" valves). Finally, the Low-Pressure Pneumatic Seat Test is conducted at 80 psig (5.5 bar) using dry air or nitrogen, submerged or bubble-tube monitored.
A critical quality requirement for austenitic stainless steel (ASTM A351 CF8M, CF3M) and duplex stainless steel valves is test water chemistry. Chloride ions in test water accelerate stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and pitting in micro-crevices. SMD Flow Control strictly enforces demineralized water with chloride content controlled below 25 ppm (25 mg/L) with rapid hot-air drying and preservation immediately after test completion.