EXPANSION JOINT PRODUCTS

U.S. Bellows is a manufacturer of all types of bellows and expansion joints, ranging from metal bellows to fabric expansion joints. We can supply replacement and equivalent expansion joints and/or bellows repair for other manufacturers.

Metallic Expansion Joints	Fabric Expansion Joints	Stock Bellows
Advantages of Fabric vs. Metal Expansion Joints Expansion Joint Type Description Expansion Joint Movement Axial Lateral Angular Single Absorbs small amounts of lateral, axial and angular movements, deflects in any direction, economical. √ √ √ Hinged Angular motion on all planes, accepts deflection in only one plane, prevents torsion on bellows, absorbs thermal deflections effciently.     √ Gimbal Accepts deflection in any plane, eliminates pressure thrust forces, transmits shear and wind loads, prevents torsion on bellows.     √ Tied Universal Unit length does not change with heat, eliminates pressure thrust load, tie rods not required. √ √ √ Elbow Pressure Balanced Pressure forces remain in balance, and the balance pressure thrust remains constant. √ √ √ Inline Pressure Balanced Stable at high pressures, absorbs small amounts of axial and lateral movement, eliminates change in pressure. √ √   Externally Pressurized Suited for large amounts of axial compression or extension, eliminates pressure instability. √     Thick-Wall Flanged & Flued Cost-effective for large diameter piping systems which operate at low pressure, long lifetime. √ √ √ Slip-Type Accomodates high pressures and temperatures, prevents clogging of the space provided for slip movement. √     Rectangular Metallic Absorbs axial and lateral movements, variety of bellows geometry, manfactured for a variety of materials. √ √ √ Fabric Expansion Joint Often used in ducts which carry hot gases at low pressures, layers of fabric can be combined to accommodate temperatures and pressures in the system. √ √ √