Metal bellows expansion joints are a very crucial component in our piping system. These joints are used in power plants, steel plants, cement plants, oil, gas, and chemical industries to provide smooth motion control of piping and equipment. It is also used to compensate for the thermal expansion and it takes very less space than piping bends and expansion loops.
Metal joints are made of thin, flexible metal. These are almost often made of a stainless-steel alloy and have features that resemble springs that can sustain a variety of stresses, including compression and axial forces. In this article, we will explain the advantages of metal bellows expansion joints and their uses and several other things. So, let’s get started!
What are Metal Bellows Expansion Joints?
Metal bellows expansion joints are joints that act as a guard against mechanical forces such as pressure thrust, thermal expansion, tremors, pressure surges, and others. These joints are placed in piping and duct systems suction and discharge of pumps and also along with valves to facilitate easy removal as dismantling joints
Metal pipe expansion joints have come in many forms of metals. These metal joints include premium nickel alloy steels and all varieties of stainless steels. Any pipe that connects two separate locations is vulnerable to a variety of actions, all of which put pressure on the pipe. Some of the pressures we have mentioned below:
- Internal or external pressure in high temperature.
- The weight of the pipe and the parts that it supports
- Movement of pipe sections caused by external constraints
- Thermal expansion.