High-fatigue spring steel strip for compressor valve reeds. HRC 48–52 with ±0.5 HRC control. Precision straightness and surface finish for reliable valve sealing.
Get Quote for Valve Steel View Specs ↓Compressor valve reeds endure millions of high-frequency flex cycles at operating pressure. The steel must deliver consistent fatigue life, precise flatness, and uniform hardness to prevent premature valve failure.
Valve reeds are stamped from precision strip and must seal flat against the valve plate. Straightness and surface finish are as critical as hardness. Our strip is tension-leveled and polished to meet valve-grade requirements.
Five grades to match different compressor types and performance requirements.
C 0.95–1.05% high-carbon steel. The most widely used valve reed material. Excellent hardness uniformity and wear resistance. HRC 53–62 capability, typically used at HRC 48–52 for valve applications.
Ni 1.80–2.10% alloy. Superior fatigue life for high-frequency reciprocating compressors. The nickel addition significantly improves toughness and crack resistance under cyclic loading.
Ni 2.0% alloy. For valve applications with high impact loading or temperature cycling. Exceptional toughness prevents brittle fracture in demanding environments.
Cr 0.30–0.40% for improved wear resistance. Used in valve applications where abrasive gas contamination causes accelerated seat wear. HRC 47–52.
Japanese carbon tool steel, C 0.90–1.00%. The standard valve reed material for Japanese compressor manufacturers. Equivalent performance to C100S in the HRC 48–52 range.
C100S (DIN 1.1274) is the benchmark grade for valve reed steel. High carbon content provides the hardness; minimal alloying keeps cost down.
| C % | Si % | Mn % | Cr % | Ni % | Mo % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.95–1.05 | 0.15–0.35 | 0.30–0.60 | — | — | — |
Valve reed strip requires tighter tolerances than band saw steel. Standard supply at T1–T2 class for valve applications.
| Thickness (mm) | T1 | T2 | T3 | T4 | T5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.020–0.040 | ±0.002 | ±0.003 | ±0.004 | ±0.005 | ±0.008 |
| 0.040–0.080 | ±0.003 | ±0.004 | ±0.006 | ±0.008 | ±0.012 |
| 0.080–0.150 | ±0.004 | ±0.006 | ±0.008 | ±0.012 | ±0.018 |
| 0.150–0.300 | ±0.005 | ±0.008 | ±0.012 | ±0.016 | ±0.024 |
| 0.300–0.600 | ±0.008 | ±0.012 | ±0.016 | ±0.024 | ±0.035 |
| 0.600–1.000 | ±0.010 | ±0.016 | ±0.022 | ±0.030 | ±0.040 |
| 1.000–1.600 | ±0.014 | ±0.020 | ±0.028 | ±0.036 | ±0.050 |
| 1.600–2.500 | ±0.018 | ±0.026 | ±0.035 | ±0.045 | ±0.060 |
| Width (mm) | W1 | W2 | W3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 25 | ±0.05 | ±0.10 | ±0.15 |
| 25–50 | ±0.08 | ±0.15 | ±0.25 |
| 50–100 | ±0.10 | ±0.20 | ±0.35 |
| 100–200 | ±0.15 | ±0.30 | ±0.50 |
| 200–300 | ±0.20 | ±0.40 | ±0.60 |
Valve reed steel serves the compressor industry across multiple sectors.
Reciprocating air compressor suction and discharge valves. C100S or 75Ni8 at HRC 48–52. High cycle count demands consistent fatigue life across the full strip width.
Hermetic compressor valve reeds for air conditioning and refrigeration. Extremely tight flatness and surface finish requirements for gas-tight sealing. Typically thin strip 0.15–0.50mm.
Brake vacuum pump reed valves and automotive AC compressor valves. Must withstand temperature cycling and vibration. 75Ni8 preferred for its superior fatigue performance.
Beyond valves, the same steel grades serve as precision spring strip for flat springs, contact springs, and flexure elements where controlled deflection is required.
Valve-grade strip with tighter tolerances and surface finish than standard band saw steel.
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Tell us your grade, thickness, width, hardness, and surface finish requirement. We respond within 24 hours.