Beryllium Copper Valve Seats

M X  T E C H N I C A 

 

Beryllium copper valve seats have many benefits in high performance engines.

Larry Carley of @enginebuildermag has an excellent write up on the performance benefits. 

“When titanium valves first became popular, tool steel alloy valve seats were often used. The seats were durable enough but proved to be too hard for the titanium valves, and they didn’t pull heat away from the valves fast enough to provide adequate cooling at high rpm.” - @enginebuildermag 

“If the exhaust valves get too hot, they can cause preignition and detonation that can destroy an engine. Excessive temperature can also cause the valves to burn, and the seats to pit and erode, either of which can cause compression loss in a cylinder.” - @enginebuildermag

“a softer seat material has more of a dampening effect when the valve closes to reduce the risk of valve bounce when the valve closes. It’s also kinder to the valve face and helps extend valve life” - @enginebuildermag

So what’s the jist of all this? If you’re going to build a high RPM monster and planning to run Titanium valves, it would be wise to look into beryllium copper valve seats. 

The thermal conductivity benefits keeping the valves cooler is a huge benefit to combat pre ignition and detonation. Also if you’re going to be running at those high RPMs copper beryllium is more resistant to chipping and a softer material so therefore easier on the valves.

Photo Credit: Engine Builder Magazine