Language
When you purchase valves or come into contact with valves, you will frequently come across letters like API and DIN. It might seem quite sophisticated. In essence, they are the "industry norms" or "national standards" in the valve industry. Just like when we make screws and nuts, we need to have uniform sizes; otherwise, your screws won't fit into my nuts, and things will get out of hand. The same goes for valves. With these standards in place, everyone can communicate in a common language during production, procurement, and installation.
Let's talk about API. This is the standard set by the American Petroleum Institute. As the name suggests, it is specifically designed for the "oil industry circle" and the "industrial tough guy circle". The feature of this standard can be summed up in one word: "harsh". It has extremely high requirements for the safety, strength, sealing, and durability of valves. Because in places like oil, gas, and chemical industries, if a valve leaks, it is no small matter. Therefore, valves under the API standard are made of solid materials, have conservative designs (with a large safety margin), and undergo strict testing. If you encounter high-temperature, high-pressure, toxic, flammable, or explosive working conditions, you can choose valves that meet the API standard with your eyes closed, and you won't be wrong. It is equivalent to a "hard currency" brand name in the heavy industry sector worldwide.
Then there is DIN, which is the German industrial standard. The Germans do things, you know, in a very meticulous way. The DIN standard has a huge influence in Europe, especially in Germany. It pays special attention to dimensions, tolerances, and the accuracy of materials, and everything is clearly defined and meticulous. Valves produced according to the DIN standard have unparalleled precision, just like the precise instruments made in Germany. They fit perfectly when installed. Although many European projects have now switched to the ISO standard, the influence of the DIN standard is deeply rooted. Many established manufacturers and projects still recognize it. You can think of it as the "German precision model" in the valve industry.
Next is JIS, which is the Japanese Industrial Standard. It is very popular in Japan and in Southeast Asia regions deeply influenced by Japanese industry. The characteristics of the JIS standard are somewhat similar to the way Japanese people do things: "practical, compact". It often designs valves to be lightweight, material-efficient, and cost-effective while ensuring safety and reliability. Some dimensions and structures are different from those of API and DIN, and it has its own system. If you mainly deal with Japanese-funded enterprises or related projects, then the JIS standard is the "local dialect" that you must be familiar with.
Finally, there is ISO, which is a standard set by the International Organization for Standardization. Its goal is quite simple - to become the "language of the world". As globalization becomes more and more profound, when people do business, they all hope to use a unified set of rules. ISO was created precisely for this purpose. It strives to harmonize and unify the standards of various countries (such as certain parts of DIN), forming an international standard that everyone can recognize. Nowadays, more and more international projects and purchases tend to adopt ISO standards because they are the most "universal" and can minimize the troubles caused by different standards to the greatest extent. It can be regarded as the "global common language" that the valve industry is promoting.
