Burst Testing – United Valve

At United Valve, we can perform pressure testing with water at pressures up to 40,000 psi. Burst testing with gas can also be performed underwater if required—and if that degree of excitement can be handled by the test witnesses!

Burst testing is a critical procedure in the industrial valve sector, designed to determine the maximum pressure a valve can withstand before failure. This destructive test involves subjecting a valve to increasing internal pressure until it ruptures, providing valuable data about the valve’s structural integrity and material strength. The results of burst testing are essential for validating design calculations, ensuring product safety, and complying with industry standards. This process is vital in industries where valves operate under high-pressure conditions, such as oil and gas, chemical processing, and power generation.

The process of burst testing requires specialized equipment and precise control. Typically, a hydraulic pressure system is used to gradually increase the pressure within the valve while monitoring the pressure and any signs of deformation or leakage. Sensors and data acquisition systems record the pressure at which the valve fails, as well as the nature of the failure. This data is then analyzed to assess the valve’s performance and identify any potential weaknesses in its design or manufacturing. The burst test allows for a very clear indication of the limits of a valve’s capabilities. 

Due to the availability of other more sophisticated test methods, as well as computer FEA analysis, burst testing is a rarity for valves. However, burst testing is still a common practice for fitting manufacturers.