Doc No.

: VIZA WI 4058

Rev No.: 2020

Release No.:

API 6D Specification For Valve Test

Controlled

Uncontrolled

Prepared Lijun Lv Date 2020-01-04 .

Reviewed Yong He Date 2020-01-04 .
Approved Chen Cong Date 2020-01-04 .
 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

Change Records

Rev No. Rev. Identification Change Description Effective date Appro. No.
Change the format and content and
2013 All 13-12-30
release as the first version.
1. INCONEL 625; Add the new
material INCONEL 625;
2014 Red words 14-06-03 140603-QCI
2.Modify the pressure of CF3 &
CF3M according to new standard
1. Add new material of 5A,
F316/F316L
2. Modify table 3: ≥20” seal test QDI-402-
2015 Green words 15-07-28
duration 15072801
3. Add content in 3.3.6, 3.4.3, table
6
1. Modify the scope of pressure
gauge in 2.3
2. Add the test requirements for BW
ends valves in 2.2
3. Add the note in 2.4: Stainless
steel valve shall pressure test
with antifreezing solution
4. Add low pressure test
QDI-402-
2017 Purple words requirements for flat gate valve, 17-08-25
17081701
SC serial valve with soft-seal in
3.4.1
5. Add pressure test for double ball
valve and three-way ball valve in
3.5
6. Add pressure test requirements
for valves with bypass-valve in
3.6

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 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

1. Adjust the position of CF3 and

CF3M in table 2
2. Add pressure test for
needle valve in 3.5.2
3. Disassembly 3.6.1 DTI-402-
2019 Blue words 4. Add 3.7 hydraulic seal test with 19/11/04
no pressure 19110401
5. Add 3.8 DBB/DIB valves test step
see attachment
6. Add toque test for bare stem
valves in 4.5.2
1. This document has been revised
5 times, cancel all the marks and
release as first edition; DTI-402-
2020 None 20/01/04
2. Add clause 2.8 and modify the 20010401
incompletely contents refer to API
6D

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 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

1. Applicable Scope
This specification prescribes the Gate, check and ball valves inspect and test requirements per API
6D.

2. General Rules
2.1 All the valves should be pressure test before painting. The test method and requirement per part 3.
Then test it per part 4 if the contract have other requirement.
2.2 The equipment used to perform the required pressure test shall not apply external forces that affect
seat leakage, and the internal of valve should be no air when hydraulic pressure test. In order to
prevent the BW end groove compressive deformation and damage after pressure test, the
pressure test method for 300lb above gate valve, globe valve and check valve adopt sealing on
welding slope angle side; for 150lb gate valve, globe valve and check valve adopt sealing in
channels, the operator can assist with welding slope angle side for better sealing; all ball valve
should adopt sealing in channels, the operator can assist with welding slope angle side for better
sealing.
2.3 The pressure gauge shall be accurate to at least ±2% of the full scale rating and shall be
periodically calibrated at least three equidistant points of full scale (including zero and full scale as
required points. Pressure measurements shall be made at 20%~80% of the full-scale of the gauge.
Pressure gauge can reference below choose but not limited to the pressure gauge;
For 150 LB valve, can choose 6 MPa pressure gauge;
For 300 LB valve, can choose 16 MPa pressure gauge;
For 600 LB valve, can choose 25 MPa pressure gauge;
For 900 LB valve, can choose 40 MPa pressure gauge;
For 1500 LB valve, can choose 60 MPa pressure gauge;
For 2500 LB valve, can choose 100 MPa pressure gauge;
Pressure measurements should be calibrated at least three equidistant points of full scale
(excluding zero and full scale required points of calibration), and the calibration intervals shall be a
maximum of three months until recorded calibration history can be established by manufacturer.
2.4 For shell, high pressure backseat and high pressure closure tests, the test medium shall be
freshwater or light oil which viscidity lower than water, and after consult,the water can contain
antiseptic、antifreeze agent . For the low pressure closure test, the test medium shall be air. For
testing of austenitic stainless steel or duplex stainless steel valves, the test medium with chloride
content not exceeding 30ppm shall be used. (note: the stainless steel valve shall pressure test

pressure test with antifreezing solution), the medium temperature shall be lower than 38℃ during

test.

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 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

2.5 The valve should be test without sealing grease on the seat and the sealing surface, unless it is the
sealing grease valve. The lubricating oil on the metal to metal seal surface should to be negotiated
before assembly. The auxiliary seal system should not be used before complete the test.
2.6 Responsibility:
2.7 The pressure tester responsible of do the test and record the related value in accordance with
internal standard.
2.8 Supply pressure shall be isolated from the valve being tested and shall be stabilized prior to the
start of pressure testing duration. The pressure measuring device shall be installed in the test
apparatus in such a manner that the device continuously monitors/records the test pressure of the
valve assembly.

3. Test type
3.1 Back seat test
For the Back seat test valve, test it after the packing plate released and both ends of the valve
closed, open the partially closure member, empty into the test medium before see the medium
leakage around the stem. Then close the back seat, and increase pressure, observe the leaked
state of filler through the relaxation filler, the test pressure and duration should be respectively
according to table 2 and table 3 provisions, Grade PN valve’s pressure test accordance with
1.1*PN pressure. No leaked should be found.
Notice: Back seat test before hydraulic test
3.2 Shell test pressure
Test it after both ends of the valve closed, open the partially closure member, and no leaker be
found on the test pressure. The test pressure must higher than table1, Grade PN valve’s pressure
test accordance with 1.5*PN pressure, duration of shell pressure no less than table 3. If assembled
safety valve, it should be removed and plug the interface. After shell test reassemble the safety
valve, then continue to do the shell test per 95% set pressure of safety valve. Less than 4 "valve
test duration is 2 minutes, ≥ 6" valve test duration is 5 minutes. Connection of safety valve should
not be found visible leakage in the test process.
3.3 High hydraulic seal pressure test
The valve should be test accord to the follow requirements, the leakage of soft sealing valve cannot
be more than A-class of ISO 5208:1993 (no visible leakage). The leakage of metal seal valve
cannot be more than D-class of ISO 5208:1993, namely the maximum leakage does not exceed
those specified in table 4.But the sealing test leakage of the 4.4 section cannot be greater than D-
class of ISO 5208:1993 two times, namely the maximum leakage does not exceed those specified
in Table 4 unless other specified. The leakage level of ISO 5208:1993 are shown in Table 6
3.3.1 The test pressure shall be more than the listed in Table 2. The test pressure for PN grade valves
shall be as 1.1*PN.
3.3.2 The duration shall be more than the listed in Table 3.

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 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

3.3.3 Blocking valve: The valve prevents fluid flow or leakage, including gate valve, ball valve
a). One- way valve
Half open valve, the internal of valve is completely filled with the test medium, then close the valve,
press to the corresponding, and check the leakage from test joints or the other end. Test pressure
and duration according to table 2 and table 3
b). Two- way valve
Half open valve, the internal of valve is completely filled with the test medium, then close the valve,
press to corresponding ends of valve, and check the leakage from test joints or the other end. Test
pressure and duration according to table 2 and table 3
3.3.4 Double block of relief valve
Both two seat can simultaneously blocking medium from the ends, and also relief the residuary
medium out the valve from the external device (relief valve, plug and so on). Asked to do two test
be free sequence as follows:
a). Fill the valve in the half-open position with test medium, then close the valve, turn off the
external device (relief valve or plug), then screw on the test connector of cavity and let the medium
be leaked. Pressure test to one side and relief, then test another side, examine the leakage from
test connector. Test pressure and duration according to table 2 and table 3
b) in(c) but with both side pressurized, examine the leakage from test connector. Test pressure
and duration according to table 2 and table 3.
3.3.5 Check valve
Pressure test on the outlet end
3.3.6 If applicable, for the gate valve and globe valve with bellows, the sealing test shall be done at both
vertical and horizontal direction, meanwhile record the results on VIZA QR 812 Quality record for
valve performance test.
3.4 Low pressure gas closure
3.4.1 The remaining valve for low pressure gas seal test as option except trunnion ball valve, globe valve,
flat gate valve, SC serial valve with soft-seal.
3.4.2 For low pressure gas seal test valve, the soft seal valves should not be visible leakage under the
test pressure. The leakage of metal seal valve cannot be more than D-class of ISO 5208:1993,
namely the maximum leakage does not exceed those specified in table 4. The low pressure seal
test is 0.6Mpa, the duration follow table 3.
3.4.3 If applicable, for the gate valve and globe valve with bellows, the sealing test shall be done at both
vertical and horizontal direction, meanwhile record the results on VIZA QR 812 Quality record for
valve performance test.
3.5 Pressure test for double ball valve and three-way ball valve
3.5.1 For double ball valve, the shell test shall be do first, the two balls shall be opened before test, if
there have needle valve, also open the needle valve first;
3.5.2 If there have needle valve, the needle valve shall do sealing test, close the needle valve and
disassembly the screw before test, then examine the leakage.

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 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

3.5.3 High hydraulic seal test on each seat of one side valve after shell test, and do the same test for
the other side, the low pressure gas seal test is same as high hydraulic seal test
3.5.4 For three-way ball valve, the shell test shall be do after confirm the flow direction refer to Fluid inlet
and outlet, then do the High hydraulic seal test and low pressure gas seal test after qualified shell
test
3.6 Pressure test for ball valve with by-pass ball valve
3.6.1 The main valve and by-pass valve shall do shell test first after half open the ball.
3.6.2 Then do the high hydraulic seal test on upstream of by-pass valve (if two by-pass valves on the
valve, the test from inside to outside)
3.6.3 Then do the high hydraulic seal test for main valve. After qualified high hydraulic seal test and
emptying the medium, low pressure gas seal test on upstream of by-pass valve (if two by-pass
valves on the valve, the test from inside to outside)
3.6.4 Then do the low pressure gas seal test for main valve.
3.7 Hydraulic seal test with no pressure
Apply for SC/SE serial check valve with soft seal, the test method as below:
a). Horizontal placement the valve and close the outlet, then open the adapter and fill with test medium,
the duration time between 2-5min, the maximum allowed leakage rate is 1 drop per minute.
b). Vertical placement the valve and the outlet on the top, fill with test medium, the duration time
between 2-5min, the maximum allowed leakage rate is 1 drop per minute.
3.8 The test step for DBB and DIB valve see attachment 1 to 3

4 Supplementary test requirements

4.1 The supplementary test requirements only applicable to carry out according the user ‘s relevant
written requirements
4.2 hydraulic pressure test
The test pressure is higher than table 2 and table 3, or test pressure duration is longer than the
specified hydraulic test in Table 3
4.3 High pressure gas test
4.3.1 High pressure gas test shall be performed after hydraulic test
4.3.2 Sealing test: Inert gas as the test medium to do pressure seal test and minimum pressure refer to
table 2, test duration refer to table 5. High pressure gas test can replace the sealing test after
consultation with customer.
4.3.3 Shell test: The minimum test pressure per Table 2, the duration of the test per Table 5
4.4 Anti-static testing
The valve shall be dry before pressure testing, the electrical resistance shall not exceed 10 Ω
between the obturator and the valve body and between the stem and the valve body be measured
using a direct-current power source not exceeding 12V. At least 5% of the valves in the order shall
be tested.

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 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

4.5 The Operating torque / thrust test

4.5.1 Measure the maximum torque or thrust operate ball valve or gate valve should follow the mode as
below which prescribed pressure measurements by purchaser.
a) open to close with the bore pressurized and the cavity ay atmospheric pressure;
b) closed to open with both sides of the obturator pressurized and the cavity at atmospheric pressure;
c) close to open with one side of the obturator pressurized and the cavity at atmospheric pressure;
d) as in(c) but with the side of the obturator pressurized.
4.5.2 Torque or thrust test shall be performed after hydraulic test, and test before low pressure gas seal
test if the valve be required low pressure gas seal test. Torque or thrust measurement results
should be recorded.
4.5.3 For the bare stem valve, when test the toque with gear box, the actual value shall be calculated
from the test value multiply by mechanical benefits of gearboxes.
4.6 Cavity relief testing
4.6.1 Cavity relief testing is not required if protection of the cavity against over-pressure is ensured for
both the open and closed position by a hole in the obturator or around the seat seal.
4.6.2 Cavity relief testing for Trunnion-mounted ball valves with internal-relieving seats and parallel slide
gate valve
a) Fill the valve in the half-open position with test medium.
b) Close the valve and allow medium to overflow from the test connection at each end of the valve.
c) Apply pressure to the valve cavity until one seat relieves, record this relief pressure.
d) Close the first-relief end, continue to increase the cavity until the second seat relieves, record the
relief pressure of the second seat.
Cavity relief testing fails at a relief pressure value is higher than in Table 7.
4.6.3 Cavity relief testing for Floating Ball Valve
a) Fill the valve, in the half-open position with test medium, then pressurized to prescribed data in
table 7.
b) Close the valve, until the both ends of valve relief in atmospheric pressure
c) Open the valve in half-open position, monitor the Cavity relief of medium
Failure to relieve at the medium spouted from cavity.

Table 1 Shell test pressure (unit：MPa)

WCC、LCC、LC3 F304、F316、 F304L INCONEL
Body A105
WC6、WC9、C5、C12 F321、F347 F316L 625
material WCB LCB
F11、F22、F5、F9 CF8、CF8M、 CN7M
LF2 WC1
F51、F53、F55 CF8C、CG8M
Rating LF3
4A、6A、5A CF3、CF3M

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 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

F316/F316L

150lb 3.2 3.2 2.8 3.0 2.5 3.2

300lb 7.8 7.8 7.3 7.6 6.3 7.8
400lb 10.4 10.4 9.7 10.0 8.3 N/A

600lb 15.4 15.6 14.5 15.0 12.5 15.6

900lb 23.1 23.3 21.8 22.5 18.7 23.3

1500lb 38.5 38.8 36.1 37.3 31.1 38.8

2500lb 64.0 64.7 60.2 62.1 51.8 64.7

Table 2 Backseat / hydraulic seal /high pressure closure test pressure (unit：MPa)

WCC、LCC、LC3 F304、F316、 INCONEL

A105 WC6、WC9、C5、C12 F321、F347 625
Body
F304L
WCB F11、F22、F5、F9 LCB CF8、CF8M、
Material
F316L
LF2 F51 、F53、F55 WC1 CF8C、CG8M
Rating CN7M
LF3 4A、6A、5A CF3、CF3M
F316/F316L
150lb 2.2 2.2 2.1 2.1 1.8 2.2
300lb 5.7 5.7 5.3 5.5 4.6 5.7
400lb 7.5 7.6 7.1 7.3 6.1 N/A
600lb 11.3 11.4 10.6 11.0 9.2 11.4
900lb 16.9 17.1 15.9 16.4 13.7 17.1
1500lb 28.2 28.5 26.4 27.4 22.8 28.5

2500lb 46.8 47.5 44.1 45.6 38.0 47.5

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 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

Table 3 Minimum Duration for test

Valve Size Duration for hydraulic shell pressure test(Unit: min)

Duration for seal
NPS Internal Internal
API 6D pressure test(Unit: min)
Control(Casting) Control(Forging)

1/2~4” 2 4 2 2

6~10” 5 5 5 5

12~18” 15 15 15 5

≥20” 30 30 30 10

Table 4 Maximum leakage allowed of hydraulic seal/ low pressure closure/

high pressure closure(Only applicable for metal to metal seal)

Maximu Maximum Maximum Maximu Maximum Maximum

m leakage leakage of leakage of high m leakage leakage of low leakage of high
Valve
of low pressure pressure Valve Size of pressure pressure
Size
hydraulic closure closure hydraulic closure closure
seal seal
DN NPS ml/min ml/min ml/min DN NPS ml/min ml/min ml/min
50 2 0.30 90 180 550 22 3.30 990 1980
80 3 0.48 144 288 600 24 3.60 1080 2160
100 4 0.60 180 360 650 26 3.90 1170 2340
150 6 0.90 270 540 700 28 4.20 1260 2520
200 8 1.20 360 720 750 30 4.50 1350 2700
250 10 1.50 450 900 900 36 5.40 1620 3240
300 12 1.80 540 1080 1100 42 6.60 1980 3960
350 14 2.10 630 1260 1200 48 7.20 2160 4320
400 16 2.40 720 1440 1400 54 8.40 2520 5040
450 18 2.70 810 1620 1500 60 9.00 2700 5400
500 20 3.00 900 1800

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 API 6D Specification For Valve Test Doc No.: VIZA WI 4058
Rev No.: 2020

Table 5 Minimum Duration for high pressure shell test

Valve Size Duration

NPS (分)
1/2-18” 15
≥20” 30

Table 6 Leakage class of ISO 5208:1993

Class
Class A Class B Class C Class D
Test type
Hydraulic test 0.6x10-3ml/min x DN 1.8x10-3ml/min x DN 6x10-3ml/min x DN
No visible leakage
Gas test 1.8x10-2ml/min x DN 0.18ml/min x DN 1.8ml/min x DN

Table 7 Cavity relief test pressure（MPa）

WCC、LCC、LC3 F304、F316、 INCONEL

A105 WC6、WC9、C5、C12 F321、F347 625
Major F304L
WCB F11、F22、F5、F9 LCB CF8、CF8M、
material F316L
LF2 F51 、F53、F55 WC1 CF8C、CG8M
Rating CN7M
LF3 4A、6A、5A CF3、CF3M
F316/F316L
150lb 2.6 2.6 2.5 2.5 2.1 2.6
300lb 6.8 6.9 6.4 6.6 5.5 6.9
600lb 13.6 13.8 12.8 13.2 11.0 13.8

900lb 20.4 20.6 19.2 19.8 16.5 20.6

1500lb 34.0 34.4 32.0 33.0 27.5 34.4

2500lb 56.6 57.3 53.2 55.1 45.9 57.3

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