• SPECIAL TOPIC: MAINTENANCE & MATERIALS •
Precise and Reliable: Sliding Gate Valves for Hydrogen Applications
Hydrogen places high demands on plant and system components, and compact sliding gate valves made of austenitic steels effectively control the small, light molecules precisely and quickly. As a result, they ensure reliability and safety while significantly lowering energy consumption during operation and production.
• By Doug Roy- Vice President- Schubert & Salzer, Inc.
Hydrogen is developing into a key technology for energy transition in industry. Ideally, it can be generated inexpensively as well as in a climate-neutral manner using surplus electricity from renewable sources, thus it plays a major role in the replacement of fossil fuels.
Considering the small, light nature of hydrogen molecules, compact sliding gate valves cast of austenitic steels can precisely control hydrogen molecules to ensure reliability and safety. They also significantly contribute to lower energy consumption during operation and production.
However, the small size of its molecules represents a big challenge for plant and system components in process engineering, especially for valves, which are required to provide reliable function and high sealing integrity under demanding conditions.
The problem: hydrogen molecules can easily penetrate many materials and change their structure. Valves made of ferritic, martensitic, and even some high-alloy steels are susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement, which can lead
Austenitic steel sliding gate valves are a reliable solution as they have an extremely compact, light weight design and a remarkably high resistance to hydrogen-induced embrittlement.
to considerable damage and material failure.
Choice of Material is Decisive for Safety
One reliable solution is stop and control valves made of austenitic steels such as 1.4408 and 1.4404. These stainless steel alloys are characterised by their high resistance to corrosion. In addition, the nickel content guarantees a very robust resistance to hydrogen-induced embrittlement.
The choice of quality materials is also pertinent when it comes to seals. Common solutions such as ethylene
18 Valve World Americas | October 2025 | www. valve-world-americas. com