These universal expansion joints were custom-designed with guided tie rods, internal liners, and bellows protection covers for a hot air blower. These expansion joints are used in a plant that manufactures tires for cars and light-duty trucks. High Heat is required in the manufacturing process to vulcanize rubber to components made of steel and polyester and to also cure the rubber. The universal expansion joint can allow for large amounts of lateral deflection that can occur in more than one plane. By increasing or decreasing the distance between the two bellows by varying the length of a section of pipe spool, the designer can accommodate for the given amount of lateral deflection. These expansion joints are designed for an operating pressure of 50 psig at 383 degrees F. A total of 18 were supplied with half of the units measuring 40” dia. x 74-7/8” long x 58-1/2” overall outer dia. The rest measure 36” dia. X 60-1/4” long x 53-3/4” overall outer diameter. The bellows, flange, middle pipe, liner, and lugs are fabricated from 316/316L stainless steel. The rods, nuts, and cover are 316 stainless steel. The 40” dia. unit is designed for 0.394” axial compression and the 36” dia. unit is designed for 0.20” axial compression. Both units are designed for 0.394” lateral movement. Each expansion joint was inspected by quality control and hydraulic pressure tested before shipment. We manufacture expansion joints to relieve stress in piping systems whether the thermal movement is axial, lateral, or angular in plants such as Food Processing, Automotive, Hospital Steam Lines, Semiconductors, and other types of Green Energy plants.
![Pressure 2](https://usbellows.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/pressure_2.jpg)
Upcoming Live Webinar
Sign-up for a Live Technical Webinar…
U.S. Bellows 101 - The Basics of Expansion Joints
Date: Thursday, September 12, 2024 - Register for 10:00 am OR 2:00 pm
*Note: Time Zone is CDT * Central Daylight Savings Time / GMT -5h
Live Webinars are 1 PE/PDH Credit for TX Professional Engineers
Listen to in-depth explanations on how to choose the type of expansion joint that will best suit your system. Learn about the bellows movements throughout the piping system due to thermal changes of mechanical motion. Increase your understanding of the different types of expansion joints and value-added services offered by U.S. Bellows.
Upcoming Webinars:
August 15th: Slide Plates & Pipe Rollers in the Fight Against Friction 10:00 am OR 2:00 pm
August 22nd: Pipe Clamp Design, Application & Installation Webinar 10:00 am OR 2:00 pm
August 29th: Variable Spring Support Design, Size Selection, Installation & Maintenance Webinar 10:00 am OR 2:00 pm
September 5th: Pipe Support Field Inspection, Installation and Maintenance Webinar 10:00 am OR 2:00 pm
View video recordings from past webinars…
Online Course
Expansion Joint Application and Design
Our Expansion Joint course was developed for the following disciplines…
- Piping system designers that may decide to use expansion joints
- Expansion joint designers use the information provided by piping system designers to determine the best design to meet the requirements.
- Designers that use modern software systems to evaluate different options
- Engineers / Managers: field, maintenance, process, operations, construction, surveyors
*This online course is approved for 8 hrs. P.E. Credits
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