Valve MAST - Its Relevance and Use in Valve Automation

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Valve MAST: Its Relevance and

Use in Valve Automation
Published on September 30, 2019
Electro-hydraulic actuator mounted to a flanged butterfly valve.
Jacob Shoesmith, CFPHS

High Pressure, High Flow Pumps & Motors for Mobile and Industrial Applications
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/valve-mast-its-relevance-use-automation-jacob-shoesmith-cfphs/ 1/10
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One of the most important pieces of criteria when performing

calculations for sizing of automated and manually-operated valves is
considering the valve's MAST value. The MAST value is the maximum
allowable stem torque, defined as the greatest torque to which a valve
stem can be subjected to during operation without mechanical failure
(Habonim 2017). Historically, its relevance was somewhat shadowed in
the valve and actuation industry when it came to actuator sizing. Even
today, you will be hard-pressed to find it included in sizing procedures
in any manufacturer’s standard catalogue since this information is
usually considered proprietary to their design. However, as assets age
and failure history becomes established, this value's importance and
demand for accuracy have adopted more influential roles in actuator
sizing today.
Failure to identify, select, and size against the MAST value usually
results in a partial or full shearing of the valve stem causing anything
from valve leakage to complete loss of control. In some cases, it is not
necessarily shearing that occurs but rather deflection during operation.
The cause of this deflection originates from the selected stem material
being too soft to withstand the applied forces to the disc, ball, or plug.
Unfortunately, this discrepancy yields a chronological accelerated wear 6

of the sealing surfaces which ultimately gives way to premature failure.
The valve and its level of importance in the installed application is
what determines the severity of the failure’s outcome.
It is important to understand that there is currently no regulation by API

(American Petroleum Institute) that requires manufacturers to publish
their MAST values or “raw” torque values, despite mutual agreement
throughout the industry by valve experts and engineers that such
information is essential to actuator sizing and lifetime valve
performance. “Raw” torque values refer to the valve torques that have
not been inflated by a manufacturer’s internal safety factor (which is
usually added to account for manufacturing tolerances). In many cases
this all boils down to the repeatability of each manufacturer’s
manufacturing process and various checkpoints for quality control.
Most manufacturers have very predictable manufacturing tolerances;
however, elect to omit the safety factor from published torque data.
This exclusion is the primary reason why MAST values are exceeded
and custom features/materials are added to the valve. If the
manufacturer does not state the provided values are raw, it is imperative
to seek clarification for this added multiplier. In short, ask questions!
6
Since valve manufacturers and distributors usually stock only the most
popular valves to reduce inventory costs and maintain a high level of
turnover, valves with uncommon body, disc, and stem materials are
typically only produced on a machine-to-order basis. Therefore,
delivery of these products can range anywhere from 26-48 weeks with
cost variances of four to five times the average.
Additionally, there are many different factors that can affect stem
material selection and design in valves. Whether butterfly valves, ball
valves, or plug valves, the customer or EPC provides the application
conditions and, in turn, the valve manufacturer or automation supplier
recommends a product that meets the provided conditions. Factors that
may affect stem material selection are pressure class, process media,
environmental factors, class requirements, and, paradoxically, MAST
value.
Some of the most common stem materials are listed below in increasing
order in terms of MAST as well as cost impact:
◙ 316/316L SS
◙17-4PH SS
6
◙ Monel K-500
◙ Inconel 718
Specification and selection of actuator assemblies begin to increase in

complexity when client-driven requirements require performance
calculations that meet a specified safety factor that exceeds their
operational conditions. These operational conditions could also require
certain seals that may add an additional torque multiplier from the base
torque listed in the manufacturer’s data sheet (which, as previously
mentioned, may or may not be in raw form). Ensuring that this base
torque value is raw is of the utmost importance for the following
reasons: 1) preventing a multiplication of safety factors and over-sizing
of the actuator and 2) forcing an unnecessary upgrade to the stem and
disc material. Once this value has been confirmed, compare this result
to the MAST value. On occasion, even with the recommended material
for the application, the torque value of the required actuator will exceed
the MAST. This occurrence is most often experienced with fail-safe
(spring-return) actuators when additional energy is required from the
actuator to compress the spring.
Here are a few options to mitigate this occurrence:
6
◙ Justify a reduction in the required safety factor
◙ If using a double-acting actuator, an ideal operating pressure can be

established for one or more sizes that satisfies the safety factor
requirements as well as the MAST values
◙ If using a fail-closed or fail-open actuator you can: 1) investigate the

option for a lighter spring package, 2) calculate an ideal operating
pressure, or 3) use a combination of both
◙ Improve the stem and disc material
It is crucial to consider safety factors from both the client-driven

requirements and the built-in margin from the manufacturer. In doing
so there will be instances where combinations of the above must be
utilized. Even when MAST values have been identified, failure to
confirm the manufacturer’s published numbers can drive up costs and
lead times exponentially due to misinterpreted data. Correctly
interpreting manufacturer’s data, identifying red flags, Jane
partnering with VALVE
He--BUTTERFLY
MANUFACTUERE • 3rd+
experienced automation groups, and having strong relationships with
Fortis valve - Sales Manager
valve suppliers are all keys to ensuring that the assembly’s output
Connect
configuration is both accurate in design and intended performance
while remaining cost-effective.
Written by Chris Sarro and Jacob Shoesmith
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Jacob Shoesmith, CFPHS 5 Follow
High Pressure, High Flow Pumps & Motors for Mobile and Industrial
Applications articles
Published • 2y
Valve MAST: Its Relevance and Use in Valve Automation (reading time: 5 minutes)
This technical collaboration between a colleague and myself highlights the importance of
MAST value and explains why so many people could be over-sizing their automation
equipment. If you work with automated rotary valves (plug, ball, butterfly), this article may be
of interest. The information presented applies to the marine, subsea, pipeline, onshore,
offshore, and processing industries.
Like Comment Share 63 · 3 comments
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3 Comments
Most relevant 6
Add a comment…
Francesco Radini Tedeschi • 3rd+ 2y (edited)

Sitindustrie Valvometal DK Valve Division SRL
Interesting article but applicable to very low level manufacturers or to stockists

only. None of the "professional" manufacturers ever forget to highlight this value
to an actuator manufacturer, and when he does, is the latter who ask. Secondly
none put that value in a catalogue for a simple reason that any technician should
know i.e. in case of MAST which is too low, you can decide your strategy…seeaboutmore
Like Reply · 1 Reply
Jacob Shoesmith, CFPHS • 3rd+ 1y

High Pressure, High Flow Pumps & Motors for Mobile and Industrial
Applications
Francesco, you make a good point. When projects are discussed, this
conversation happens much more frequently and the necessary info is likely
to be shared. However, for one-off assemblies or replacements for existing
assemblies, the technicians or operations managers sometimes fail to
understand why valve info is so crucial. For some, they expect you …see
to justmore
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Jacob Shoesmith, CFPHS

High Pressure, High Flow Pumps & Motors for Mobile and Industrial Applications
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11/27/2021 (6) Valve MAST: Its Relevance and Use in Valve Automation | LinkedIn

Home My Network Jobs Messaging Notifications Me

Valve MAST: Its Relevance and

Electro-hydraulic actuator mounted to a flanged butterfly valve.

Jacob Shoesmith, CFPHS

One of the most important pieces of criteria when performing

Unfortunately, this discrepancy yields a chronological accelerated wear 6

It is important to understand that there is currently no regulation by API

Specification and selection of actuator assemblies begin to increase in

Here are a few options to mitigate this occurrence:

◙ If using a double-acting actuator, an ideal operating pressure can be

◙ If using a fail-closed or fail-open actuator you can: 1) investigate the

◙ Improve the stem and disc material

It is crucial to consider safety factors from both the client-driven

Home My Network Jobs Messaging Notifications Me

Written by Chris Sarro and Jacob Shoesmith

Like Comment Share 63 · 3 comments

Home My Network Jobs Messaging Notifications Me

Francesco Radini Tedeschi • 3rd+ 2y (edited)

Interesting article but applicable to very low level manufacturers or to stockists

Like Reply · 1 Reply

Jacob Shoesmith, CFPHS • 3rd+ 1y

Jacob Shoesmith, CFPHS

More from Jacob Shoesmith, CFPHS

High Pressure Manifolds: Hydraulic

High Pressure Manifolds: Manual

What is an Integrator? The Top

Switch to Single-Source Suppliers… 6

Jacob Shoesmith, CFPHS on LinkedIn Home My Network Jobs Messaging Notifications Me

Out with the Old, In with the New:

See all 5 articles

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