Ask and Answer: What is the difference between A105 và A216 GR WCB

Question:
Can anyones tell me what is the difference between A105 & A216 . I tried to purchase A105 body type ball valve but they only offer A216 GR WCB and said it will be same material. Is this true .
Sincerely,

Answer:

ASTM A105 and A216-WCB (or their ASME SA equivalents) are two different product forms. A/SA105 is a forged material specification while A/SA216-WCB is a cast material specification. The chemical composition for each material is essentially the same (low carbon steel) but there may be some very minor differences in exact ranges of minor elements. Get copies of both material specifications and check them out for yourself.

What size valve are you trying to buy? What is the fluid service and design conditions of your application?

If you are purchasing a commercially mass produced valve then you will be subject to what the valve manufacturer produces or has in stock. Valves 1/2" through 2" NPS are generally forged body valves. If you are buying a valve larger than 2" NPS then you are generally going to get a cast body. If you really want a forged valve body for your ball valve that is larger than 2" NPS, you will probably need to go to a specialty valve manufacturer and have one custom engineered to your specifications. Such companies include Valvetron (Houston), Valvetech (Houston), and QAP (Oakland, CA), among others in the USA. I am less familiar with companies outside of the US. There may be some companies that offer both cast and forged bodies for ball valves in sizes larger than 2" NPS without going the custom engineering route but I am not personnally familiar with any.

Evaluate your application and judge whether a cast body will work for you or if you still need a forged body.