The Solution

IMI’s long history of sizing, selecting and manufacturing severe service valves meant it was able to draw on its engineering and manufacturing expertise to find a solution.

IMI recommended replacing the cancelled valve order with two 100D DRAG® Control Valves, 14”x14” with a Super Duplex steel cast body. IMI’s DRAG® technology is renowned for providing precise fluid control at extreme pressures. Super Duplex is a very high-grade steel, whose high chromium content makes it stronger and gives it even higher resistance to corrosion than other grades of steel, especially in seawater applications.

IMI’s analysis identified a number of challenges, including the size of the valves, but specifically the complexities of casting Super Duplex steel. Precision manufacturing is required to ensure the metals are mixed correctly, that it cools evenly and without air pockets.

In order to achieve the right quality, IMI recommended using a sub-supplier for these highly specialist castings. IMI is able to draw on a high-quality supply chain of strategic suppliers, with whom it has established relationships, and is confident in the quality of the manufacturing. Using sophisticated software to model the casting process, IMI was able to meet the client’s specification, including quality and safety, for the casting and valves.

Once again, IMI has shown that the quality of its engineering, materials and application expertise, make it the right partner for critical valves.