Fabric expansion joints are often used in ducts which carry hot gases at very low pressures. Layers of different fabrics and insulation can be combined to accommodate the temperatures and pressure in the system.
Round Fabric Expansion Joints
Fabric expansion joint applications include, air and flue gas duct systems, flue gas desulfurization systems, gas turbines and diesel engine exhaust, incinerators, etc.
Rectangular Fabric Expansion Joints
Materials for fabric expansion joints include: silica cloth, mineral wool insulation pillows, PTFE coated fiberglass, ceramic fiberglass and aluminum coated fiberglass.
Furnace Sealing Bag
A special type of high temperature fabric expansion joint developed by U.S. Bellows, Inc. is a furnace sealing bag. The objective of the bag is to seal the air inlet conduits penetrations into a furnace and thus prevent heat loss.
View the Technical Bulletin on Furance Bags
We recently posted a new article on the advantages of using an expansion joint versus a pipe loop:
An expansion joint and a pipe loop are two methods employed to safely absorb thermal expansion or contraction in piping systems due to thermal temperature changes.
Piping System with Expansion Joints
When design conditions exist, where an expansion joint or a pipe loop can be utilized, the major advantages of using an expansion joint are as follows:
- Space is inadequate for a pipe loop with sufficient flexibility.
- A minimum pressure drop throughout the pipe line is required and the absence of flow turbulence from the elbows and piping is required by process flow conditions.
- The fluid is abrasive and flows at a very high velocity.
Check out the rest of the article “Advantages of an Expansion Joint” versus a “Pipe Loop” at our site!
U.S. Bellows, Inc. received this 26″ diameter pressure balanced elbow expansion joint for a complete refurbishment. New SA-240 type 321 stainless steel bellows were used to replace the original bellows, and the tie rods and flow liners were also replaced. All carbon steel parts were painted with a universal primer. This expansion joint measures over 17 feet long center to center of elbows, and is currently being used in an effluent header at Cedar Bayou plant.
U.S. Bellows offers all types of metallic expansion joints. Each type has advantages and limitations that can provide flexibility, load reduction, structural integrity and reliability required in a piping system.
Metal expansion joints can withstand the design temperatures and pressures, as well as provide the capacity necessary to absorb thermal growth of the piping system. The thermal movement required can be axial, lateral or angular. In some cases, the pressure thrust of an expansion joint must be restrained by the use of tie rods, hinges or a gimbal while allowing the bellows to move through its design deflections.
Learn more about the different types of metallic expansion joints:
Single Expansion Joints —— Universal Expansion Joints ——- Hinged Expansion Joints
Categories: Metallic Expansion Joints Tags: Dresser® Style, Externally Pressurized Expansion Joints, Flanged & Flued Head Expansion Joint, Gimbal Expansion Joints, Hinged Expansion Joints, In-line Pressure Balanced Expansion Joint, Pressure Balanced Elbow Expansion Joints, Rectangular Metallic Expansion Joints, Single Expansion Joints, Slip-type Expansion Joints, Thick-wall Expansion Joint, Toroidal Bellow Expansion Joint, Universal Expansion Joints
