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GangYe Group Co., Ltd.
GangYe Group Co., Ltd.

Gate Valve Sizes and Pressure Ratings: A Complete Guide for Buyers

Jul 31 , 2025
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    When selecting the right valve for your industrial pipeline, understanding gate valve sizes and pressure ratings is crucial. Choosing the wrong specifications can lead to safety issues, system failure, or inefficient flow control. At Gangye, a trusted manufacturer of industrial valves with over 20 years of engineering expertise, we help clients across industries select the right valve for every application — from DN10 to DN2200, and pressure classes up to ANSI 2500. In this guide, we explain gate valve size standards, pressure classes, and how to select the right valve for your system.


    What Is a Gate Valve?

    A gate valve is a type of linear motion valve primarily used for starting or stopping fluid flow. It is not designed for throttling, but for full open or full close applications. When open, the gate valve offers minimal resistance, making it ideal for systems where pressure drop must be minimized.

    Gate valves are widely used in: 


    • Water and wastewater systems

    • Power plants

    • Oil and gas pipelines

    • Chemical processing facilities

    • Slurry and abrasive media transport (with specialized materials)


    What Do Gate Valve Sizes Mean?

    Gate valve sizes refer to the diameter of the pipe connection. There are two main size standards used globally:

    1. DN (Diameter Nominal)

    • Used primarily in metric systems (Europe, Asia)

    • Example: DN50 = 50 mm inside diameter

    2. NPS (Nominal Pipe Size)

    • Used in imperial systems (U.S. and Canada)

    • Example: NPS 2 = 2 inches

    At Gangye, our valves range from DN10 to DN2200 (NPS ½” to 88”), suitable for diverse project requirements, including large-scale power and municipal applications.


    What Are Gate Valve Pressure Ratings?

    Pressure ratings indicate how much internal pressure a valve can withstand at a given temperature. Common international pressure rating standards include:


    Standard

    Pressure Class

    Example

    ANSI/ASME

    Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500

    Class 300 for medium-pressure pipelines

    PN (Bar)

    PN10, PN16, PN25, PN40, PN100

    PN16 common in water systems

    JIS

    5K, 10K, 20K

    Used in Japanese projects


    How Pressure and Temperature Interact

    Higher pressure ratings usually correlate with lower operating temperatures. For example, a Class 300 gate valve may handle 740 psi at 100°F but less at 500°F.


    Choosing the Right Gate Valve for Your Application

    1. Identify Pipeline Size

    Match valve size (DN or NPS) to the pipe for a seamless fit and to prevent turbulence or leakage.

    2. Determine System Pressure & Temperature

    Verify both operating and peak conditions. Choose a pressure class that exceeds your system’s maximum pressure at the highest expected temperature.

    3. Select Appropriate Materials

    Material selection depends on fluid type, temperature, corrosion risk, and mechanical stress. Options include:

    • Carbon steel: General industry applications

    • Stainless steel (304/316): Corrosive or sanitary environments

    • Alloy steel: High-temperature or high-pressure conditions

    • Bronze / Ductile iron: Waterworks and non-industrial applications

    4. Consider Valve End Connections

    Gangye offers:

    • Flanged

    • Butt-welded

    • Socket-welded

    • Threaded

    Choose according to pipe design and installation convenience.

    Gangye's Manufacturing Excellence

    As one of China's leading industrial valve manufacturers, Gangye offers:

    • Full size range: DN10 to DN2200 (½"–88")

    • Wide pressure classes: PN10–PN100, Class 150–2500

    • Customized designs: For high-humidity, saline, abrasive, or acid-alkaline conditions

    • Precision engineering: Over 130 pressure testing machines ensure 100% product validation

    • Global standards: API, ANSI, DIN, GB, JIS compliant manufacturing

    • Client base: Including China Huadian, Shenhua, Datang, CITIC, and numerous EPC contractors worldwide


      gate-valve-size.jpg

    FAQs of Gate Valve

    1. What is the difference between Class 150 and Class 300 gate valves?

    Class 300 valves are designed for significantly higher pressure applications than Class 150. They have thicker walls, stronger bodies, and are suited for more demanding environments.


    2. Can gate valves be used for throttling?

    No. Gate valves are not designed for flow regulation. Partial opening can cause vibration, seat wear, and erosion. Use globe valves or control valves for throttling.


    3. What is the maximum size Gangye can manufacture?

    Gangye produces gate valves up to DN2200 (88 inches), ideal for large-scale infrastructure like hydropower and municipal networks.


    4. Which industries use high-pressure gate valves?

    Sectors such as thermal power, oil & gas, mining, and chemical processing frequently use Class 600+ valves to handle demanding conditions.


    5. Do Gangye valves comply with international standards?

    Yes. Gangye products meet or exceed API, ASME, ISO, GB, and DIN standards and come with full test reports, certifications, and inspection options.


    Choosing the right gate valve requires more than just matching pipe sizes. It requires a deep understanding of pressure ratings, material compatibility, operating conditions, and compliance standards. At Gangye, we not only supply precision-engineered valves, but we also assist engineers and buyers in making technically sound decisions.

    References