Metal Expansion Joints

Metal expansion joints are available in different configurations.

The EJMA Standards are used for proper selection and in designing of metallic bellows type expansion joints in order to achieve safe and reliable piping and vessel installation. 

Standard materials:

  • material of bellows – AISI 321
  • welding ends – carbon steel A106
  • inner sleeve -  AISI 304
  • flanges – ST-37

Other materials are available by request.

Sizes - DN15 - DN8000 (depending on the type)



Metal Expansion Joint Types

  • Single “unrestrained” expansion joints

This type of expansion joint is made up of one single bellows provided with welding ends. Used mainly for compensating axial, but to some extent lateral and angular movement. 

Axial Unrestrained Welding Ends

Axial Unrestrained Welding Ends

Axial Unrestrained Flanges

Axial Unrestrained Flanges

 

  • Universal “unrestained” expansion joints
 

This type of expansion joint is made up of two bellows joined together by a central pipe provided with flanged ends. Used mainly for compensating axial and lateral movement, but slightly also angular movement. 

Universal Unrestrained Flanges

Universal Unrestrained Flanges
 

  • Single tied expansion joints

This type of expansion joint is made of one single bellows element with end connections plus a tie rod system. Absorbs axial and small amounts of lateral and angular movements if provided with only two tie rods.  

Axial Tied Welding Ends

Axial Tied Welding Ends

Axial Tied Flanges

Axial Tied Flanges

  • Universal tied expansion joints

Compensates lateral movement in all levels. Using these kinds of expansion joints, adequate anchors and guides are installed to pipeline

Universal Tied Welding Ends

Universal Tied Welding Ends

Universal Tied Flanges

Universal Tied Flanges

  • Expansion joints for high pressure systems 

Bellows of expansion joints are reinforced with metal rings what prevent deformation of the bellow in case of high pressure. These bellows fit to any type of expansion joints (axial, lateral or angular movement). 

High Pressure Reinforcement Rings

High Pressure Reinforcement Rings
 

  • Expansion joints for district heating pipelines

They resemble to “unrestrained” expansion joints, but they are provided with inner sleeve as well as with external cover. In addition there is installed a protection for contraction, extension and for unexpected twists. 

  • Externally pressurized expansion joints

Designed for cases in which the fluid pressure acts on outside of bellows and the atmospheric pressure from inside. This ensures stability and equal pressure on both sides of the bellows. Perfect expansion joint for compensating high pressure and large axial movements. 

Externally Pressurized

Externally Pressurized

  • Thick wall expansion joints

These expansion joints are characterized by a high convolution profile and thick ply construction. They can be manufactured in circular, oval or any particular shape. They are characterized with one or more convolutions and supplied with flanged or welded ends or bellows element only. Thick Wall expansion joints are frequently used in heat exchangers, furnace and blast furnace pipe work.  

M-LENS Thick Wall Flanged

M-LENS Thick Wall Flanged

  • Rectangular expansion joints

Rectangular expansion joints are described with U-shaped convolutions and round corner (MRU), V-shaped convolutions and camera corner (MRW) or with V-shaped convolutions and miter corner (MRV). 

MRW Rectangular Camera

MRW Rectangular Camera

MRU Rectangular Rounded

MRU Rectangular Rounded

MRV Rectangular Miter

MRV Rectangular Miter

 

In addition “Gimbal”, “Hinged”, “FCCU“, “Jacketed” expansion joints are available.


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