The standard overview
API 600
Full name: ‘bolted bonnet steel gate valve for the oil and gas industry’.
Applicable valve type: steel gate valve (Bolted Bonnet Gate Valves)
Core objective: for high temperature, high pressure and harsh conditions (such as refineries, long-distance pipelines) design, emphasis on the durability of the valve and long cycle sealing performance.
API 602
Full name: ‘Compact Gate, Globe, and Check Valves for the Oil and Gas Industry
Applicable Valve Types: Compact Gate, Globe, and Check Valves of Small Diameters (DN ≤ 100/NPS 4)
Core objective: To provide lightweight and cost-effective valve solutions for space-constrained installations (e.g. offshore platforms, chemical plants).
Comparison of core differences
| comparison term |
API 600 |
API 602 |
| Applicable valve type |
Gate Valves Only |
Gate valves, globe valves, check valves |
| Size range |
DN ≥ 50 (NPS 2) and above |
DN ≤ 100 (NPS 4) and below |
| pressure rating |
Class 150~2500 |
Class 150~1500 |
| structural design |
Bolted bonnet, heavy duty design |
Compact construction with optional one-piece bonnet |
| Material Requirements |
Strict specification of body material and heat treatment process |
Allows for more flexible material selection |
| Test Requirements |
Required to pass a high-pressure gas sealing test |
Typically tested with liquid media |
| typical application |
High-temperature and high-pressure pipelines, large-scale installations |
Auxiliary piping, instrumentation connections, modification projects |
Suggestions for selection
Select API 600 for the working condition:
Main process pipelines (such as crude oil transmission, high temperature steam system)
High pressure (Class 1500 and above), frequent operation or corrosive media
Need long life (design life is usually more than 30 years)
Select API 602 for your application:
Installation environments with limited space (e.g. modular plants, equipment skid mounting)
Low-pressure auxiliary lines with small diameters (NPS ≤ 4)
Budget-sensitive projects requiring fast delivery
API 600 and API 602 valve standard difference and application guide
Application System of API Valves
Key Points for Selecting Check Valves
API valve vs Ordinary valve.