Hydrostatic Shell Test2026-06-11T13:59:11+00:00

Hydrostatic Shell Test

We test every valve shell at 1.5×PN under room temperature water, per API 598/ISO 5208/EN 12266. No leak, no pressure drop – or it doesn’t ship. You get an individual report with the pressure curve. You can get proof without stepping on site.

  • Third-party witness accepted (SGS, BV, or TÜV)

  • Test reports in both English and Chinese

  • Zero tolerance – no valve leaves if it fails

  • Test records linked to each valve serial number, kept for 5 years

Test Purpose

Hydrostatic Shell Test in our factory with lots of workers

What we do: check the valve body, bonnet, bolts, and any other part that sees pressure. We’re trying to find casting defects – sand holes, shrinkage porosity, micro-cracks – plus any forging flaws.

Even a small defect can get worse under pressure or vibration. So we hold the test pressure, watch the gauge, and look for sweat on the casting. No pressure drop, no sweat – that’s our pass.

Core Test Parameters

ItemDetail
Test pressureAt room temperature: 1.5 times the valve's PN rating. For example: PN16 gets 24 bar; PN25 gets 37.5 bar; PN40 gets 60 bar.
Test mediumClean water – we can add a rust inhibitor. Water temperature kept between 5°C and 40°C.
Hold timeDepends on valve size. DN50 or smaller: at least 60 seconds. DN65 to DN200: at least 120 seconds. DN250 and larger: at least 300 seconds.
Acceptance criteriaNo leakage visible on the body or at any connection.
No obvious deformation or damage.
The pressure gauge should not drop during the hold.

What’s included in our hydrostatic shell test?

Hydrostatic Shell Test in the lab of ballvalve.tech

Traceable Report

Includes serial number, test pressure, hold time, operator name, date.

Standards We Meet

API 598, ISO 5208, EN 12266-1, GB/T 13927. Good for water treatment, HVAC, fire, general chemical export audits.

100% Tested, Not Sampled

Every shipping valve gets a hydrostatic shell test. Electronic record kept per unit.

Third-party Witness 

SGS, BV, TÜV – just ask.

Size Coverages

DN15–DN2000 (1/2″–80″), PN6–PN420 (Class 150–2500). Custom pressure and special requirements accepted.

Technical Capabilities and Spec Sheets

ball valves

Ball Valves

butterfly valve

Butterfly Valves

check valves

Check Valves

globe valves

Globe Valves

gate valves

Gate Valves

y-strainers

Y-Strainers

Valve Prototyping & Sampling Workflow

Specify “Hydrostatic Shell Test” in your RFQ or contract. Agree on the test pressure standard, hold time, and report format.

Valve is machined and assembled, but final coating is not yet applied – so we can clearly see the body surface during the test.

  1. A certified inspector mounts the valve on the test bench.
  2. Fills with water (vent air)
  3. Slowly pressurises to 1.5×PN
  4. Holds pressure while visually checking the body and monitoring the gauge.
  • If it passes: an electronic report with the pressure curve is generated.
  • If it fails: defect location is marked, and the valve goes back to casting or welding for repair.

Paper report included with the shipment, plus a downloadable PDF that includes valve photos, pressure data, and operator signature.

Need Valve Rapid Prototyping / Sampling?

Get a competitive quote within 24 hours with technical support and custom options.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do you keep the test records?2026-05-22T08:18:07+00:00

Test records are linked to each valve serial number and kept for 5 years. You can request a copy at any time.

Can I watch the test remotely or get a test video?2026-05-22T08:17:42+00:00

Yes. We can set up a live video call (Zoom, Teams, or WeChat) so you watch the test in real time. We also include a free 30‑second short video (pressurisation, hold, gauge reading) with the report.

Do you provide CNAS or ISO 17025 accredited test reports?2026-05-22T08:17:17+00:00

We provide internal test reports that strictly follow API 598 / ISO 5208, but they are not CNAS accredited. If you need an accredited report, we can arrange onsite witness from SGS, BV, or TÜV – they will issue their own report (extra cost and lead time).

Will your test report be accepted directly by international EPC projects or end users?2026-05-22T08:16:42+00:00

In most cases, yes. Our report follows API 598 appendix, includes pressure curve, hold time, equipment ID, operator signature, and date – bilingual. It has been accepted by EPC contractors and end users in the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Africa.

Can you test Class 600 or higher pressure rating valves?2026-05-22T08:15:45+00:00

Our bench max is 200 bar (20 MPa). For Class 600, the 1.5× test pressure is about 155 bar – we can do it. For Class 900 and above, please provide valve details so we can confirm.

What happens if a valve fails the hydrostatic shell test?2026-05-22T08:15:07+00:00

We mark the defect location (sand hole, crack, etc.) and return the valve to casting or welding for repair. After repair, we test again until it passes. You are not charged for repeated tests unless the failure is caused by a design change you requested.

What is the maximum size and pressure you can test?2026-05-22T08:13:31+00:00

Our test bench covers DN15 to DN600, maximum test pressure 200 bar (20 MPa). This covers your core range (DN50–300, PN16–40) with margin.

Is this test included in the valve price?2026-05-22T08:12:49+00:00

For regular orders, the hydrostatic shell test is part of our standard QC – no extra charge. If you need third‑party witness or individual video recording for each valve, there is a small additional fee.

Will the test report be accepted by the project supervisor or end user?2026-05-22T08:11:24+00:00

Yes. Our report format follows API 598 appendix, includes test standard, pressure/time, equipment ID, operator signature, and date. It is bilingual (English + Chinese). Many EPCs and end users have accepted it.

Can you only use pure water as the test medium?2026-05-22T08:02:53+00:00

Standard test uses clean water. For media that cannot contact water (e.g. oxygen service valves), we can use oil‑free dry air or nitrogen at the same pressure – but extra safety measures are required.

Can you test non‑standard pressure?2026-05-22T07:58:18+00:00

Yes. For example, if you need 1.6×PN or a specific pressure value, we follow the contract and note the custom pressure on the report.

Is the hydrostatic shell test destructive?2026-05-22T07:55:02+00:00

No. At 1.5×PN as per standard, a qualified valve body only sees elastic deformation. No permanent damage. The valve can be used normally after testing.

What quality control and testing procedures do you apply before shipment?2026-04-24T09:18:40+00:00

StageProcedureDescription
Before ProductionPMI (Positive Material Identification) testRaw material verification
In-ProductionDimensional checksAt critical machining stages
Post-ProductionHigh-pressure hydrostatic shell test (1.5× rated pressure)
Low-pressure air seat test (0.6 MPa) to verify shut-off
Optional tests: helium leak test (ISO 15848), fire-safe test, or cryogenic test
Final assembly testing
Quality InspectionMarking verification, coating/painting thickness measurement, and preparation of traceable test reportsVisual & documentary check

All test records are archived for a minimum of 10 years and can be provided with each shipment. Or you can specify any third-party test institutions.

What quality management system certifications does your company hold?2026-04-24T09:16:11+00:00

Our manufacturing facility is certified to ISO 9001:2015 for design, production, and after-sales service of industrial valves. Additionally, we hold ISO 14001:2015 (environmental management) and ISO 45001:2018 (occupational health and safety). All our ball valves for the European market comply with PED 2014/68/EU, and we can supply valves with ATEX certification for explosive atmospheres upon request. Our quality system is audited annually by third-party notified bodies.

Can you provide samples or small-quantity trial orders before a bulk purchase?2026-04-24T09:15:23+00:00

Absolutely. For standard ball valves, we can offer off-the-shelf samples of common sizes (1/2″ to 4″) at a discounted price, with a refundable deposit that can be credited toward a future bulk order. For custom or larger sizes, we accept small trial orders (as few as 2–5 pieces) after a non-recurring engineering (NRE) fee is agreed. The NRE fee will be waived once the customer proceeds to a production order of 50 pieces or more.

What payment terms do you accept for domestic and international orders?2026-04-24T09:18:17+00:00

We offer flexible payment terms based on order value and customer history. For standard orders: 30% deposit by T/T (wire transfer) with 70% balance against copy of Bill of Lading. For larger or repeat customers, we can consider 20% deposit + 80% irrevocable L/C at sight. Payment by letter of credit must be confirmed and free of discrepancies. Other terms (e.g., 30% deposit + 70% against inspection report) can be negotiated for special projects.

What are your minimum order quantity (MOQ) and lead time?2026-04-24T09:14:34+00:00
  • For standard models, the minimum order quantity (MOQ) is usually 100 pieces per size. For sizes that are in stock, it takes 3 to 5 business days to ship after you place your order. Our usual lead time for making standard catalog valves that aren’t in stock is 15 to 25 business days after we get your order and approve the drawing.
  • Custom models (with special materials, pressure classes, actuator mounting, custom logos, etc.): The minimum order quantity (MOQ) varies, so please get in touch with our sales team for a full quote. The lead time is usually 15 to 45 days, depending on how complicated the process is. Also, we offer a mixed-model consolidation service for distributors to help them deal with their inventory problems.
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