The Importance of Valve Seat Rings

You might not give much thought into why you need valve seat rings or how necessary they are to proper compressor function. Like many small parts, they are pretty much forgotten until something goes wrong, and then you remember they are there for a reason. By taking a moment to understand the purpose of seat rings, you can be sure you won’t overlook them when maintaining or repairing compressor valves.

What Do They Do?

Much like a washer to a faucet, a valve seat ring is designed to provide a tight seal between parts of the valve inside either a gas or an air compressor. They are available in different materials, including thermoplastic and metal, and can even be custom cut for a precise fit. They are held in place either by a screw and thread design or through the pressure existing between valve parts. Think of them like the cartilage in your knee; they provide the cushioning between two moving parts to reduce friction and keep movement fluid.

Is That All?

Valve seat rings are also important to minimize wear and tear on the other valve parts. Constant motion, heat, and weight of parts inside the compressor will all cause erosion of the valve seat over time. The valve seat rings minimize that wear and tear inside the valve and act as a buffer between the moving parts. Rather than replacing the larger moving parts, which can be difficult or costly, you can instead easily remove and replace the seat rings, ensuring proper function at a fraction of the inconvenience and expense.

The Right Stuff

Ensure your gas and air compressors are functioning properly by keeping parts well lubricated and in good working order. Perform regular maintenance on your equipment, and replace the valve seat rings when they start to show wear to prevent more significant problems down the road.