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42″ SINGLE EXPANSION JOINTS FOR AN EXHAUST DUCT APPLICATION AT A TURBINE FACILITY IN Michigan
October 6, 2025

Usbellows single expansion joint 132974

 

 Type:  Single Expansion Joints
 Size:  42″ ID | 24″Face-To-Face
 Material:  Inconel 600 | 304 Stainless Steel | Carbon Steel
 Design:  350°F Operating Temp. @ 100 PSIG | 0.75″ Lateral
 Testing:  Hydro-tested

These single expansion joints were custom-designed by US Bellows for an exhaust duct application in the turbines of a pressurized water nuclear power plant in Michigan. The bellows were fabricated to meet the plant’s specific operating conditions, accommodating the required axial and lateral movements, and were constructed from high-performance alloys to withstand elevated temperatures and pressures typical of turbine exhaust systems. There is a clear resurgence in upgrading and servicing turbine facilities to meet datacenter demand, as AI-driven power loads outpace grid capacity. Operators are overhauling existing turbines and deploying new high-efficiency units to provide reliable, large-scale, and dispatchable power close to datacenter campuses.

For this project, the units have a 42” ID and are 27” face-to-face. The bellows were fabricated from Inconel 600, the liners from 304 stainless steel, and the cover, limit rods, and hardware from carbon steel with red oxide primer on all exposed carbon steel. It is important to note that our manufacturing and production abilities around mixed metallurgy are unique in that we can isolate and manage different metals in our production, but also have the experience, depending on the client’s needs. 

These units are designed for an operating temperature of 350°F at 100 psig, 0.625” of axial compression, and 0.75” of lateral deflection. The expansion joints were hydro-tested prior to shipment. 

Over 60-65% of the expansion joints we provided replace existing units.  US Bellows is not necessarily the OEM in all cases; however, we have the experience to manufacture, repair, or audit our designs and others as we are members of EJMA with deep expertise in expansion joint design and manufacturing for over 50 years, with an in-house Field service team. Our expansion joint engineers use the EJMA  (Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association) latest edition to maintain a calculations-based spreadsheet and a stand-alone engineering design software program for the ASME ( American Society of Mechanical Engineers) code section VIII-based calculations to design expansion joints.

Applications for expansion joints include:

 

Fossil Fuel Power Plant Chemicals and Petrochemical Stationary Engine Exhaust Pulp, Paper, Wood Pellets
Power (Nuclear/Fossil Fuel/Renewables) Heat Exchangers Municipal Water Districts Space Aviation/Aerospace Engine Exhaust
District Energy FCC Units Wastewater Treatment Truck Exhausts
Gas Turbines Navy Biofuels/Solid Waste Incineration Steel Mills/Blast Furnaces/Mining
Steam Distribution Kilns Solar/Environmental Applications Marine Piping and Exhaust
Geothermal Power Plants Furnace Sealing Bags HVAC Building and Heating Systems Liquefied Natural Gas Service (LNG)
Refineries Education/Labs Food Processing Cement Manufacturing

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 11252019

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Standard Pipe Support Components Available on Amazon
June 5, 2024

Need a standard product quickly? Or know what you need and don’t need a quote? Skip the line and order through Amazon. From forged carbon steel turnbuckles and light or heavy 2-bolt, 3-bolt pipe clamps, riser clamps to long tangent u-bolts, we stock standard sizes for your quick-turn orders.

*If you need assistance, we are always available 24×7 via our emergency service or just send an email to info@pipingtech.com.

 

Ptp fig30 forgedcsturnbuckle
Fig. 30 Forged Carbon Steel Turnbuckle		 Ptp fig60 heavy 2 bolt pipe clamp
Fig. 60 Heavy Two-Bolt Pipe Clamp
Ptp fig70 light 3 bolt pipe clamp
Fig. 70 Light Three-Bolt Pipe Clamp		 Ptp fig80 heavy 3 bolt pipe clamp
Fig. 80 Heavy Three-Bolt Pipe Clamp
Ptp fig90 riser clamp
Fig. 90 Riser Clamp		 Ptp fig100 long tangent u bolt
Fig. 100 Long Tangent U-Bolt
Ptp fig90 riser clamp
Piping Technology & Products, Inc. Expansion Joint (85 PSI)		 Ptp fig100 long tangent u bolt
Piping Technology & Products, Inc. Expansion Joint (150 PSI)
Ptp fig90 riser clamp
Piping Technology & Products, Inc. Expansion Joint (300 PSI)
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Rectangular Expansion Joints Custom Designed for an Air Fan Ducting Application in Texas
January 8, 2024

Usbellows rectangular expansion joint 166850

 

 Type:  Rectangular Expansion Joints
 Size:  37-3/8″ Wide | 65″ Long | 16″ FTF
 Material:  304 Stainless Steel | Carbon Steel
 Design:  250°F Operating Temperature @ 5 psig
 Testing:  100% Dye-Penetrant

US Bellows custom-designed two of these rectangular expansion joints for an air fan ducting application at a chemical facility in Texas. They are 37-3/8″ wide, 65″ long, and 16″ face-to-face. The bellows and liner were fabricated from 304 stainless steel, with the rest of the components from carbon steel. The units are designed for an operating temperature of 250°F at 5 psig. The expansion joints were 100% dye-penetrant tested prior to shipment.

Rectangular expansion joints have many applications in which they are used. They can be used in blast furnaces in steel processing facilities, APH Air preheaters in refineries, and for ducting in large systems in many industries in petrochem, mining, LNG and steel mills. We have built over 400 such units over the last couple of years of varying metallurgy ranging from carbon steel to stainless to inconel. We currently have inconel units in production for a large LNG facility to meet the newly established FERC requirements around spillage, environmental considerations, and, most importantly, safety.

Manufacturing expansion joints involves a precise blend of scientific principles and manufacturing craftsmanship. Rectangular expansion joints present distinctive challenges, particularly in relation to edge welding requirements. Without the necessary expertise, there is a risk of encountering issues such as sugaring—a form of oxidation that arises when an inadequate amount of purging gas is utilized during welding.

It’s worth noting that circumferential welds in typical round expansion joints, which are both welded and formed simultaneously, do not face the same concerns. In contrast, rectangular expansion joints undergo a two-step process where they are first formed and then welded, introducing unique considerations.

We conduct thorough in-house testing for all our expansion joints, encompassing a comprehensive range of assessments:

  • Burst Testing
  • Dye Penetration testing
  • Fatigue/Cycle Testing
  • Hydrostatic testing
  • Helium Leak testing
  • Ultrasonic Testing
  • Radiography Testing
  • PMI Testing
  • Pneumatic Testing
  • Magnetic Particle Testing
  • Leak Detection Testing.

Rectangular expansion joints represent a subset of the assessments conducted for typical round expansion joints. Specifically, for rectangular expansion joints, we perform leak, hydro, and pneumatic testing.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 07222019

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Pressure Balanced Tee Universal Expansion Joint for a Boiler Feed Pump Turbine Exhaust
July 11, 2023

Pressure Balanced Tee Universal Expansion Joint for a Boiler Feed Pump Turbine Exhaust

US Bellows custom-designed a pressure-balanced tee universal expansion joint for a boiler feed pump turbine exhaust within a power plant for a major electric utility provider in the Midwest with its founding roots in the 1880s, almost 140 years ago. Today they serve over 1.7M customers in the US, focusing on electricity generation, electric power transmission, and electricity distribution.

The expansion joint is 96″ in diameter and 288″ OAL and is designed for 2″ axial movement and 1/8″ lateral movement at both 15 PSIG and full vacuum (-14.7 PSIG) at 315 °F. The bellows, liner, and turning vanes are 304 stainless steel. The remainder of the assembly is fabricated from carbon steel. The expansion joint was dye penetrant examined, and a chemical cleaning of the interior surfaces was performed to remove any oil and grease. US Bellows also conducted a stress analysis and a pneumatic test at 23 PSIG.

Our US Bellows division is a member of the Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association (EJMA). EJMA is recognized as the world’s leading authority on the proper selection and application of metallic bellows-type expansion joints for safe and reliable piping and vessel installation. As a proud member, we design and manufacture our expansion joints to meet or exceed the guidelines and practices set forth by this association.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 03/02/2021

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13 Foot Universal Expansion Joint Custom Designed with Incoloy Bellows and Manufactured in the USA for Service in a Chemical Plant
June 6, 2023

Usbellows universal expansion joint 150651v2

 

 Type:  Universal Expansion Joint
 Size:  157″ Long x 28″ Diameter
 Material:  Incoloy 825 |  321 SS | 304 SS
 Design:  Operating Temp: 842°F a t 190 psig
Movement 8.875″ Lateral Deflection
 Testing:  Dye Penetrant Examined | 100% X-Rayed Bellows
Longitudinal Seams | PMI Examined | Hydro-tested

This 13′ long universal expansion joint was custom designed for a chemical plant that manufactures products such as amines, glycol, polyurethanes (isocyanates and polyol), butanols, polyethylene, and hydrogen peroxide. The bellows were fabricated from Incoloy 825, the welds and liner from 321 stainless steel, and the cover tie rods from 304 stainless steel. The 157″ long unit is 28″ in diameter. It is designed for an operating temperature of 842°F at 190 psig and 8.875″ of lateral deflection. Prior to shipment, the units were 100% dye penetrant tested, and the bellows longitudinal seams were 100% X-rayed, PMI examined, and hydro-tested.

Piping Technology and Products and its subsidiaries are the only global provider of engineered supports and expansion joints in the world. Our manufacturing facilities and processes are set up to support the manufacturing of different materials should the project need it. For this project, the client requested the bellows be made of a combination of Incoloy and stainless steel. We have the experience to work with an extraordinarily broad range of materials, including high-strength steel, a full range of stainless steel, super alloys, thermoplastics, and insulation isolation materials.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 07142020

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81″ Diameter Pressure Balanced Tee Expansion Joints Custom Designed for a Chemical Plant
February 7, 2023

81” Diameter Pressure Balanced Tee Expansion Joints Custom Designed for a Chemical Plant

Type: Pressure Balanced Tee Expansion Joints
Size: 352″ OAL | 81″ Dia. | 90″ Centerline to Bevel End
Material: 304 Stainless Steel | CS
Design 392°F at 15 PSIG | 6″ Axial Compression
Testing: 100% Dye Penetrant | Air Soap and Bubble test

US Bellows custom-designed pressure-balanced tee expansion joints for a chemical plant in Texas. The units were 352″ overall length, 81″ diameter, and 90″ center line to the bevel-end of the tee. All assemblies were fabricated from 304 stainless steel.

They were designed for an operating temperature of 392°F at 15 PSIG, with 6″ of axial compression and 1.25″ of lateral deflection. The expansion joints were 100% dye-penetrate tested, as well as air soap and bubble tested prior to shipment.

We can also design and manufacture refractory lined expansion joints for these types that are able to expand and contract as conditions move from hot to cold. These units can be installed in refineries, power plants, and various green energy facilities where no other option is practical.

Our team of engineers and manufacturing staff are ready and willing to assist in helping solve any design and/or manufacturing challenges. We can also refurbish existing units to help decrease the time operations are shut down. We assure you that our 24×7 web-based emergency and quick-turn-around service can help when you need it most.

View Expansion Joint Product Section

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 04192019

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Tied Universal Elbow Expansion Joint Custom-Designed for Ammonia and Waste Processing for a Liquid Nitrogen Fertilizer Plant
July 5, 2022

Usbellows tied universal expansion joint 143516

Type: Tied Universal Elbow Expansion Joint
Size: 20″ Dia. | 112″ Face-of-Flange to Center Line of Elbow OAL
Material: Inconel® 625 Bellows | 304 H Stainless Steel
Design Operating Temp: 1,150°F at 140 PSIG | 4″ Lateral Deflection
Testing: Dye Penetrant Examined | 100% X-Rayed Bellows | Hydro-tested

US Bellows custom-designed a tied universal elbow expansion joint for ammonia and waste processing for a nitrogen fertilizer plant. The bellows and liner are fabricated from Inconel® 625. The pipe, tie rods, and flanges are fabricated from 304 H stainless steel. It is designed for an operating temperature of 1,150°F at 140 PSIG and 4″ of lateral deflection. The assembly is 20″ in diameter and 112″ face-of-flange to the centerline of elbow OAL. The unit was 100% x-rayed, dye-penetrate examined, and hydro-tested before shipment.

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Rubber Expansion Joints for an 8” Dia. Pipeline at a Saudi Arabian Oil Company
May 11, 2022

Ptp rubber expansion joint 171379

U.S. Bellows, Inc. provided rubber expansion joints for an 8″ pipeline. This single open arch rubber expansion joint is fabricated from EPDM rubber and the retaining rings are galvanized A36 carbon steel and powder coated orange. The expansion joints were designed for an operating pressure of 250 psig with a 30″ vacuum, 1.75″ compression, 0.88″ extension, and 1″ lateral offset. Rubber pipe expansion joints are often used to compensate for minor misalignment and offset. Each unit was hydro-tested at 250°F at 75 psig. An advantage of a rubber expansion joint (also called an elastomer joint) over the metallic is the ability to prevent the transmission of vibration and to do this without significant harm to the joint. They can be utilized for pump inlets and discharges solely to stop vibration and noise from the pump. They have an integrally flanged design where no gaskets are required. Metal reinforcing rings can also be added to help resist pressure and flexing during operation. Fabric reinforcement within the rubber can also be added for applications to take the load of fluid pressure. At U.S. Bellows, our engineers are professionally trained and qualified to both design and manufacture units specifically for your application per expansion joint manufacturing association (EJMA).

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96″ Dia. Thick Wall Expansion Joint Designed for a Sulfuric Acid Plant
April 12, 2022

Us bellows thick wall expansion joint 169673

US Bellows designed this thick-wall flanged and flued head expansion joint at a sulfuric acid plant in Louisiana. Sulfuric acid plants are located throughout the industrialized world, and we have worked with most of them, including market leaders. Most are located near their product acid’s point of use, i.e., near fertilizer plants, copper ore leach plants, and petroleum refineries. This is because elemental sulfur is cheaper to transport than sulfuric acid.

By far the largest amount of sulfuric acid is used to make phosphoric acid, which is, in turn, used to make the phosphate fertilizers, calcium dihydrogenphosphate, and ammonium phosphates. It is also used to make ammonium sulfate, which is a particularly important fertilizer in sulfur-deficient soils. In various concentrations, the acid is used in the manufacture of fertilizers, pigments, dyes, drugs, explosives, detergents, and inorganic salts and acids, as well as in petroleum refining and metallurgical processes.

The expansion joint was fabricated from A516-70 carbon steel and painted with a special epoxy coat for protection from corrosion. The unit is 96″ x 124-1/4″ O.D. All of the butt welds for this expansion joint were 100% liquid-penetrant, 100% radiographic, and soap and air bubble tested prior to shipment. This type of joint can be used as a “clamshell” joint in conjunction with shell and tube heat exchangers, steam exhaust, hot water return lines, or chilled water lines.

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26′-10″ Long Universal Expansion Joint & Ductwork for a Chemical Plant
February 16, 2022

 

Us bellows universal expansion joint 144495

Type: Universal Expansion Joints with Ductwork
Size: 322″ Centerline-to-Centerline | 48″ Diameter
Material: 304 Stainless Steel | Carbon Steel
Design 400°F Operating Temp. @ 91 psig | 3.3″ Lateral
Testing: 100% Dye-Penetrant | PMI | Hydro-tested

U.S. Bellows custom designed this 26 ft. -10 in. long universal expansion joint with ductwork for a chemical plant. The bellows, ductwork, and flanges were fabricated from 304 stainless steel and the rest of the components from carbon steel. The unit is designed for 48″ diameter piping with an operating temperature of 400°F at 91 psig and 3.3″ of lateral deflection. The expansion joint was completed in 12 weeks and was 100% dye-penetrant, PMI, and hydro-tested before shipment. Chemical plants for which these are typically required process chemicals such as ethylene oxide/glycols, toluene diisocyanate, methylene diphenyl isocyanate, hydrochloric acid, polyether polyols, butanediol, GBL, n-methyl pyrrolidone, tetrahydrofuran, 2-pyrrolidone, PVP/PVPi, specialty amines, aniline, acetylene, surfactants, polytetrahydrofuran, and methylamines. The end products include furniture, automotive antifreeze, foams, carpets, construction, steel pickling, oil well acidizing, biodegradable plastics, lithium-ion battery production, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, gas treatment, water treatment, toothpaste, detergent, spandex fibers, engineered high-performance plastics, and animal feed.

U.S. Bellows has the scale and manufacturing agility to produce expansion joints and ductwork ranging in order size from a small scale of sub-1000 of dollars to upwards of 1M dollar large capital projects. We regularly support overnight lead times and tight project deliverables with evolving project requirements per the client and site needs. Last month, over half of our production capacity, was dedicated to this kind of work. A glimpse into our capabilities is outlined below from some projects we did last year:

– Refurbished 6, 48″-64″ diameter refractory-lined expansion joints for a large Houston refinery during a 45-day turnaround
– Completed a large ducting project for a major chemical facility in Texas with on-time delivery
– In the last 6 months, 40% of our expansion joint jobs have shipped in 2 weeks

We invite you to visit our facility and meet our team to get a first-hand look at our capabilities for your upcoming projects.

US-B REF. ORIGINAL POST 11122019

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