IEC VALVE TRAIN COMPONENTS – FOR MAXIMUM SERVICE LIFE

    VALVES

    Inlet valves
    Gas exchange valves for the inlet side

    Exhaust valves
    Gas exchange valves for the outlet side

    Start valves
    For starting large engines with compressed-air

    Constant throttle valves

    IEC designs and manufactures all types of valves that are used in combustion engines.

    Monometallic and bimetallic valves

    Especially heavy-loaded exhaust valves are often made of two different materials. The valve disk is made of a heat-resistant steel or a nickel-based superalloy to withstand the high thermal loads. Since such materials are generally not hard, a different material is used on the shaft. This is usually a magnetic steel that is hardened inductively at the shaft end to minimize wear.
    The two materials are joined by friction welding.

    1.4718 – X45CrSi9-3 – HNV3
    Typical stainless martensitic valve steel with excellent nitriding hardenability. Generally used for low-loaded inlet valves or for valve stems.

    1.4871 – X53CrMnNiN21-9 – EV8
    Typical austenitic valve steel with added nitrogen for increased resistance at high temperatures. Frequent use with exhaust valves for operating temperatures up to 800°C.

    1.4882 – X50CrMnNiNbN21-9
    Austenitic nickel-chromium-manganese steel with added Nb and W. It offers high mechanical strength at high temperatures. Used for exhaust valves of heavy-loaded engines.

    2.4952 – NiCr20TiAl – HEV5
    Also known as “Nimonic 80A”. Classic nickel-chromium superalloy with perfect resistance to oxidation and corrosion. High wear resistance and very good tensile strength. NiCr20TiAl is used in heavy-loaded engines. Both for high loads in motorsports, as well as for special requirements from corrosive gases such as biogas, landfill gas or sewer gas. This material is also frequently used in marine applications.

    3.7165 – TiAl6V4
    Titanium alloy for inlet valves. It is characterized by a very low weight and is therefore the first choice for high-speed engines.

    Valve seat

    As a protection against wear, in the seat area we use materials with special properties, such as a high level of hardness, good resistance against hot gas corrosion or the like.

    Most of these materials are applied by plasma arc welding.

    However, there are many other armour technologies that can be used for all types of armour materials: Laser cladding, TIG, HVOF, etc.

    On the valve seat, we also use modern nitriding processes. The nitrided valve seat, in combination with special materials used for the seat ring, provides a long service life, as it is the case in gas engines.

    Common armour materials:

    Stellite 1
    Cobalt-based material with the incredible wear properties and high corrosion resistance.

    Stellite 3
    Cobalt-based material with a high proportion of tungsten. Outstanding wear and corrosion resistance at high temperatures.

    Stellite 6
    Common cobalt-based armour material. Good wear and corrosion resistance.

    Stellite 12
    Cobalt-based material with high temperature resistance and good corrosion resistance, for example against salty air.

    Stellite F
    Cobalt-based material with a high nickel content.

    Colmonoy 56
    Nickel-based material with hard chromium borides.

    Tribaloy T-400
    Cobalt-based material with outstanding properties in terms of wear and corrosion resistance.

    Iron-based hard facing
    IEC offers various types of seat armouring with iron-based materials.

    Valve stem end

    In order to reduce wear, the valve stem end is treated with induction or flame hardening. In special cases, weld surfacing with special materials on the shaft end is also possible (see “Armour materials”).

    Wear in the shaft area is reduced through appropriate surface treatments.

    Pulse plasma nitriding
    As early as 1930, steel components were nitrided by means of a glow discharge in a vacuum. However, thanks to modern microprocessor technology, it is now possible to precisely control the nitriding process in the plasma.
    The special layer structure with a very smooth single-phase surface area ensures optimal wear protection. In addition, the whole valve features a very good corrosion resistance, which proves beneficial when using aggressive fuels such as heavy oil, biogas or landfill gas.
    This is why plasma nitriding, due to its outstanding properties for sliding couples, is the first choice for valves.
    The process also offers significant ecological advantages.

    Bath nitriding
    Classic process to improve the sliding properties and to provide protection against wear.

    Hard chrome
    For a long time it has been the first choice for valve stems. Only seldom used due to the high environmental impact. This raw material will be banned soon.

    Chromium nitride (CrN)
    Common wear protection for titanium valves.

    Full valves
    Hollow valves, drilled
    Hollow valves, drilled, sodium-filled
    Hollow valves with enlarged cavity (turned/friction welded)
    Hollow valves with enlarged cavity (turned/friction welded), sodium-filled

    VALVE GUIDES

    The valve guide guides (as the name suggests) the valve in the cylinder head. The valve guide has the additional function of discharging thermal energy from the valve into the cylinder head.

    Gray cast iron GG25
    Standard material for valve guides

    Gray cast iron with increased phosphorus content GGP70
    Cast material with increased phosphorus content for optimum wear resistance.

    Special brass CW713R
    CuZn37Mn3Al2PbSi / CuZn40Al2 / 2.0550
    CW713R is characterized by high wear resistance and good corrosion resistance with good thermal conductivity.

    Sintered material IEC120S
    Powder metallurgically manufactured valve guides for high-performance applications. Pearlitic/ferritic matrix with embedded carbides.
    Especially useful for critical applications, for example in biogas or landfill gas engines.

    Nitrocarburizing

    Valve guides are nitrocarburized, among other things, for optimum wear resistance

    Valve guides are supplied with oil drilling, lubrication grooves or other accessories for different applications.

    IEC manufactures all types of valve guides you need.

    VALVE SEAT RINGS

    The valve seat and the valve together form the seal for the combustion chamber. They constitute a tribological system that has to withstand millions of load cycles and also to discharge large amounts of thermal energy into the cylinder head.

    IEC develops and manufactures valve seat rings for all applications.

    Cast or sintered materials such as:

    Stellite 1
    Stellite 3 / J3
    Stellite 6 / J6 / P65
    Stellite 12 / P58
    Stellite 19 / PL6N / GGZV30-4
    GGz 1.2599
    Tribaloy T-400 / J10
    PL12MV / GHS-2 / GZX190CrMo12-2
    X210Cr12 / PL34
    X45CrSi9-3 / PL33M10
    CrNi 6040

    e.g. Tinning of the outer contour for sealing

    Water-cooled valve seat rings

    Armoured / hard faced valve seat rings

    VALVE SPRINGS

    The valve spring closes the valves after opening through a camshaft or a pneumatic or electrical actuator.

    IEC develops and manufactures valve springs for all applications.

    All common valve spring wires such as

    Oteva 70
    EN 10270-2-VD-SiC

    Round or elliptical wires

    Passivation
    Phosphating and oiling
    Nickel plating
    Galvanisation
    Chromating

    Symmetric or asymmetric
    Cold or hot setting

    Electropolishing
    Vibratory grinding
    Hardening and tempering
    Shot peening or sandblasting
    Vibratory finishing

    VALVE KEEPERS / VALVE COTTERS / CLAMPING PIECES

    The valve cotter holds the valve in the spring retainer. There are clamped and non-clamped connections so as not to hinder the free rotation of the valve.

    IEC supplies and manufactures valve cotters for all applications.

    Turning

    Cold forging

    Nitrided

    Chromium nitride

    VALVE SPRING RETAINERS

    IEC designs and manufactures valve spring retainers from different materials for all conceivable areas of application and needs.

    VALVE ROTATORS

    The valve rotator ensures the constant rotation of the valve during operation.
    This reduces wear and decreases the amount of debris.

    Rotators for valves are available in various designs. Among other things, valve rotators are known under their brand names Rotocap (TRW) or Turnomat (MWH).

    IEC designs and manufactures or distributes valve rotators for your needs.

    Rotators with ball-spring mechanism

    Rotators with a spring (garter spring rotator)