METALLIC EXPANSION JOINTS
Key applications
- Join pipes or systems in industrial environments to absorb thermal expansion, mechanical vibrations in pipe-work while containing system pressure.
- Allow for thermal expansion and contraction in X, Y and Z directions.
- Conduct various fluids: oil, gas, steam, air, exhaust gases, chemicals and water.
Industries served
Energy-related:
- Refineries: fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) unit flue gas lines and heat exchangers.
- Fossil power plants.
- Chemical plants.
- Cryogenic applications (incl LNG, LPG)
- Gas distribution.
Energy intensive:
- Pulp and paper mills.
- Cement plants.
- Steel mills.
- Desalination plants.
Key types
- Thin wall metallic bellows expansion joints.
- Single axial, universal, hinged, gimbal, elbow pressure balanced, in-line pressure balanced, external pressurized and rectangular.
- Various features: single ply or multi-ply, leak testable multi-ply, equalizing rings, pantographic links, vapor seals, electric trace heating, purge connections etc.
- Standard diameters: from 40mm (1.6 in) up to 4 meters (13 ft); special applications up to 15m nominal size.
Pressure: from full vacuum (FV) to 150 bar (150 atm). - Temperature: from -196˚C to +900˚C (-385˚F to 1650˚F)
Thick Wall Bellows (Hydro-formed / Pressed Halves):
- 4 mm to 12 mm
- 75 NB to 2095 NB
- special designs, U and omega shapes, are also available.
Key standards
- EJMA (Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association)
- ASME Appendix B26 (American Society of Mechanical Engineers)
- CODAP (Component Operational Experience, Degradation and Ageing Programme, from OECD)
- Cryogenic applications (incl LNG, LPG)
- BS 6129 (British Standard)
- STOOMWEZEN (Netherlands standard)
- PED 97/23/EC (European Pressure Equipment Directive)
- ADM B13 (AD-Merkblätter – German standard harmonized with PED)
- BS 5500 and BS EN 13445 (British Standards harmonized with PED)
- UOP Specifications
- AREVA Certified Supplier
Sizes
- 50 ND to 4000 ND (DN50 to DN4000)
Materials
- Specialty materials: Inconel 600, 625 and 625 LCF, Incoloy 800H and 825, Monel 400, URANUS, Cr/Mo/V, Titanium, Hastelloy C-276 and B3.
- High grade carbon steel (for thick wall type designs).