It is important to reduce thermal expansion, vibrations, and misalignment with expansion joint bellows in piping and ducting systems. Selecting a quality expansion joint bellows manufacturer will allow your industrial processes to function to their best ability with the least amount of downtime and the most safety.
Why Expansion Joint Bellows Are Essential
In sectors such as oil & gas, chemical processing, power generation, and HVAC, systems are continually exposed to mechanical and thermal movement (expansion and deflection). Expansion joint bellows are designed to absorb this movement, previously mentioned, mitigate leaks, and protect surrounding equipment and piping from undergoing premature wear and tear.
Types of Expansion Joint Bellows Offered by Leading Manufacturers
There are many types of expansion joint bellows, depending on industrial application. For high-temperature and high-pressure applications, metal expansion bellows will use stainless steel or special alloys. Rubber expansion bellows are flexible, resistant to corrosion, and have excellent noise and vibration-reducing capabilities. Fabric expansion bellows are designed to be used in ducts that carry air, gas, or boiler or furnace exhaust, and they must provide thermal and chemical resistance. In cases where directional movement control is necessary, tied and hinged bellows will provide controlled movement in defined directions for use in structurally sensitive applications.
Key Industries Served
A reliable bellows manufacturer of expansion joints, provides solutions for many industries that require products for challenging applications. Products, installed in pipelines used in the oil & gas industry, designed to manage expansion on pipelines transporting crude oil and gas. In chemical processing plants, these bellows perform reliably with corrosive fluids and aggressive chemicals. Bellows supplied in power plants, performing where thermal expansion must be managed on steam and exhaust lines. Expansion joints can also be beneficial for reducing vibration and noise levels in HVAC systems providing more acceptable performance. For water and wastewater treatment facilities will require flexible, leak-free means of helping control fluid transfer under changing conditions.
How to Choose the Right Manufacturer
There are various elements to think through when considering an expansion joint bellows manufacturer that will affect the performance and reliability of your system. Material is important, whether it is stainless steel, special alloys, or reinforced rubber; the fittings must function for the conditions they must operate within. A manufacturer that can custom bellows to your project’s specific dimensions and technical specifications will assist with creating the perfect fit with your system. An indication of sound overall quality and reliability is a manufacturer that has exhibited expertise and experience in the industry, and that works in more than one market sector, which gives you a further level of assurance that their fittings are still industry specific. A good support program and after sale services, such as installation, inspection and maintenance will help ensure your product’s long term operational effectiveness – they cannot supply the product and forget about it.
Conclusion
A reliable expansion joint bellows manufacturer provides the peace of mind knowing that not only will you be provided with long-lasting, effective products, but also the engineering experience required to ensure that its a proper fit for your application. A proper partner will improve safety, reliability, and service life.
