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MATERIAL SELECTION
When choosing valves for a performance engine, the most misunderstood subject is that of material selection.
Federal-Mogul offers valves in a variety of materials to meet the requirements of virtually any engine. Some of our
competitors attempt to cover all applications with one or two valve materials - claiming that they can meet all the
needs. An understanding of the environment in which the valves must function proves these claims to be false, as a
single material cannot meet all operating requirements. The key difference between intake and exhaust valves is the
temperature at which they operate. The exhaust valve is regularly subjected to highly corrosive exhaust gases at
temperatures that may exceed 1400 degrees Fahrenheit. In comparison, the intake valves are cooled by the incoming
fuel/air mixture, and do not reach such high temperatures. The special intake valve alloys may actually be stronger
than exhaust valve stainless when they are compared at the lower operating temperature of an intake valve.
VALVE WEIGHT
Valve weight can be an RPM limiting factor in racing engines, and should be considered when building an engine
for high speed use. The intake valve gets the most attention in this area due to its larger size and mass. Reducing the
stem diameter by undercutting the area below the guide offers a small reduction. Greater gains are possible by
reducing the entire stem diameter, and altering the valves guides in the head appropriately. Titanium valves, though
costly, offer dramatic weight savings, extended RPM capability and enhanced valve spring life.
8440:
Medium to heavy duty steel alloy with a higher chromium content to enhance high temperature
strength.
Sil 1:
Heavy duty steel alloy with an 8.5% chromium content for excellent high temperature
performance. Used for many factory high performance intake valves.
Sil XB: A ferritic stainless steel alloy, with 20% chromium content and 1.3% nickel. Used in heavy duty
intake valves.
422:
A stainless steel alloy specified for high performance intake valve usage. This specialty type of
stainless is designed with the temperature ranges and characteristics of intake valves usage in
mind, and is different from the more common exhaust valve stainless materials. Our 422 stainless
valves are easily equal to any of the severe use valves on the market.
Ti-6:
Titanium is a lightweight, nonferrous material used in high RPM racing applications. It is 40%
lighter than steel and maintains its strength at high temperatures. Normally used for the larger
intake valves, although there are limited uses for titanium exhaust valves as well.
21-2N: Austenitic stainless steel with 21% chromium and 25 NICKEL. As the most popular exhaust valve
material, it has excellent performance characteristics at elevated temperatures. With additional
heat treating and manufacturing processes, this material can be upgraded to become the ultimate
choice for exhaust usage. With different processes, it makes for a good quality, inexpensive intake
valve as well.
21-4N: An Austenitic stainless steel similar to 21-2N, except for a greater nickel content (4%), used as an
alternate to 21-2N.