[DEMO] Metal bellows expansion joints
[DEMO] Hinged expansion joints
Absorbs angular movement in a single plane while restraining pressure thrust through hinge plates and pins.
- DN
- 50–2000
- PN
- 25bar
- Temp
- -100–750°C
Product family
[DEMO] Metal bellows expansion joints
Six configurations covering axial, lateral and angular movement, with pressure thrust either restrained internally or transferred to anchors.
A metal bellows expansion joint absorbs axial, lateral and angular movement in piping by elastically deforming a thin walled corrugated element. Configurations cover DN 50 to 3000 at up to 40 bar, and determine whether pressure thrust is restrained internally or carried by pipe anchors.
Configuration comparison
Movement capability and thrust handling differ by configuration. Selection normally starts from which movements the run must absorb, and whether anchoring is practical.
| Criterion | Single | Universal | Hinged | Gimbal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axial movement | High | High | None | None |
| Lateral movement | Limited | High | None | None |
| Angular movement | Limited | Moderate | Single plane | Any plane |
| Pressure thrust | To anchors | To anchors | Restrained | Restrained |
| Typical use | Short straight runs | Long runs | Elbowed runs | Multi-plane runs |
Indicative only. Actual capability depends on the specific design.
Configurations
Types in this family
[DEMO] Metal bellows expansion joints
[DEMO] Hinged expansion joints
Absorbs angular movement in a single plane while restraining pressure thrust through hinge plates and pins.
- DN
- 50–2000
- PN
- 25bar
- Temp
- -100–750°C
[DEMO] Metal bellows expansion joints
[DEMO] Hinged expansion joints
Absorbs angular movement in a single plane while restraining pressure thrust through hinge plates and pins.
- DN
- 50–2000
- PN
- 25bar
- Temp
- -100–750°C
Frequently asked questions
Does an expansion joint need anchors?
Unrestrained configurations transfer pressure thrust to the piping, so main anchors must be designed for that load. Hinged, gimbal and pressure balanced types restrain thrust internally, which reduces anchor requirements but constrains the movements available.
What is the difference between hinged and gimbal?
A hinged joint permits angular rotation in one plane only. A gimbal joint uses two hinge axes to permit rotation in any plane. Hinged units are normally installed in pairs or threes to absorb movement along a pipe run.
How is cycle life determined?
Cycle life depends on the movement per cycle relative to the bellows design, on convolution geometry, ply count and material, and on operating temperature. Reducing movement per cycle raises expected life considerably.
Send your operating conditions.
Diameter, pressure, temperature, media and movement. We will come back with a configuration recommendation.