Valve Standard Reference
API 600
AmericanSpecification for Steel Gate Valves — Flanged and Butt-Welding Ends, Bolted and Pressure-Seal Bonnets
API 600 is the primary design and manufacturing standard for full-opening steel gate valves in sizes NPS 2 and larger with flanged or butt-weld ends and bolted or pressure-seal bonnets.
Overview — API 600
API 600 is the primary design and manufacturing standard for full-opening steel gate valves in sizes NPS 2 and larger with flanged or butt-weld ends and bolted or pressure-seal bonnets. It is widely specified by oil refineries, petrochemical plants, and pipeline operators for wedge gate valves in high-temperature and high-pressure service. API 600 defines trim numbers, body and bonnet wall thickness, testing requirements, and documentation for all carbon and alloy steel gate valves.
Scope
Covers steel gate valves NPS 2 through NPS 24 (and larger by agreement) in pressure classes 150 through 2500 with flanged or butt-welding ends. Applies to wedge gate valves with solid, flexible, or split wedge designs in cast and forged steel body materials. Small bore gate valves NPS 1½ and below are covered by API 602.
Applicable Valve Types
Gate Valves — wedge gate, NPS 2 and larger
Applicable Pressure Classes
Key Requirements — API 600
Minimum wall thickness calculated per ASME B16.34 plus corrosion allowance
14 standardised trim numbers defining body seat, gate face, and stem materials
Stellite (Alloy 6) hard-facing for Trim 5 (316 SS seats, Stellite-faced) and Trim 12 (410 SS, Stellite-faced)
Rising stem and non-rising stem configurations with back seat for packing replacement under pressure
Bolted bonnet for standard service; pressure-seal bonnet for Class 900 and higher
Hydrostatic shell and seat tests per API 598 required before shipment
Body cavity pressure relief required for thermal expansion of trapped fluid
Fugitive emission packing (live-loaded graphite) per ISO 15848 when specified
Testing Requirements — API 600
Shell test: 1.5× rated pressure for minimum 60 seconds
Seat leakage test: 1.1× rated pressure per API 598 Class VI
Back seat test: 1.1× rated pressure with packing loose
Dimensional inspection per API 600 Table 1 face-to-face dimensions
Documentation Required for API 600 Compliance
Material Test Reports (MTR) per EN 10204 3.1
Hydrostatic shell and seat test certificate
Dimensional inspection report
Trim material confirmation
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