Tag: Fabric Expansion Joints

U.S. Bellows, Inc. fabricated rectangular fabric expansion joints for a gas turbine. They are 136″ L x 54″ W 12″ face-to-face. The frame and liner are fabricated from stainless steel and the fabric belt is 1-ply PTFE. The expansion joints are designed for 600°F at +/- 100″ water column.Dye penetrant examination was performed on the welds prior to shipment.

In gas turbine installations, fabric expansion joints are essential for managing the high-temperature exhaust gases that flow from the turbine into downstream components such as heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), bypass stacks, and emissions control systems. These joints are typically installed in the rectangular ductwork that channels exhaust flow, and they provide the flexibility needed to absorb thermal expansion, vibration, and slight misalignments between components. Because gas turbines operate at extreme temperatures and may cycle frequently, fabric expansion joints are engineered with high-performance materials—such as PTFE, silicone, or high-temp insulation layers—to withstand intense heat, pressure fluctuations, and corrosive gases. Their ability to handle large movements and simplify maintenance access makes them a preferred solution over rigid metal joints in many turbine exhaust applications.

Rectangular fabric expansion joints are a critical component in industrial ducting systems where flexibility, thermal movement, and vibration isolation are essential. These joints are widely used in power plants, refineries, steel mills, cement plants, and other heavy industrial environments—particularly in systems that carry hot gases, air, or exhaust rather than liquids. Their lightweight and flexible design allows them to absorb multi-directional movements and misalignments that occur in large duct systems, especially around boilers, precipitators, scrubbers, and stacks. Fabric joints can be customized with layers of insulation, reinforcement, and protective coatings to handle high temperatures, chemical exposure, and particulate-laden flows—making them a smart, cost-effective solution in challenging service conditions.

PT&P REF. ORIGINAL POST 02162014

U.S. Bellows, Inc. fabricated rectangular fabric expansion joints for a gas turbine.They are 136″ L x 54″ W 12″ face-to-face. The frame and liner are fabricated from stainless steel and the fabric belt is 1-ply PTFE. The expansion joints are designed for 600°F at +/- 100″ water column. A 100% dye-penetrant examination was preformed prior to shipment.

This 153″ x 55″ x 21″ fabric expansion joint was custom designed for an exhaust application in a gas turbine facility overseas. It is fabricated from carbon steel with a painted frame and liner. The fabric belt is reinforced neoprene, and it’s designed for +/- 100″ water column with a temperature of -20°F to 600°F. A 100% dye-penetrant examination and paint thickness test was conducted on the assembly before being shipped.

These fabric expansion joints were custom designed for an exhaust duct in a gas turbine facility in Europe. The 81″ x 18″ x 16″ face to face expansion joints have an integral stainless steel frame and liner with a reinforced red silicone fabric belt. The assemblies were manufactured for a 400°F operating temperature at +/-100 inches of water column pressure. The expansion joints were 100% dye-penetrant tested before being shipped to the customer.

Neoprene fabric expansion joints were custom-designed for a ventilation fan intake duct in a power plant. They are 42″ in diameter and are 65″ in overall length. They were designed for 1/4″ axial movement, 1/8″ lateral deflection, and a 100″ water column at 200°F. The expansion joints are fabricated with a neoprene reinforced belt with stainless steel clamps, carbon steel spool pipe, and angle flange end. Each joint was 100% dye-penetrant examined prior to shipping.

These fabric expansion joints are fabricated from a high temperature and corrosion resistant composite belt with A588A Corten steel duct, flanges, and covers. They are 10′ square and 24″ face to face. All welds were 100% dye-penetrant, and a soap and air test was performed prior to shipping. The expansion joints will be used for a flue gas application in an oil refinery in Texas.

The fabric expansion joints shown above are fabricated with a three layer fabric belt. The three layers consist of an inner layer of silica cloth, a middle layer of mineral wool and an outer layer of PTFE/coated fiber glass. The frame includes an insulation blanket of mineral wool and stainless steel wire mesh. The frame and liner are fabricated from 3/8″ thick 304 stainless steel and each expansion joint’s frame and liner welds were dye-penetrant tested before shipping.

Design: Pressure: 1 PSIG Temperature: 1010°F Design Movements: 2″ Axial Displacement 3/4″ Lateral Displacement

This 36″ diameter fabric expansion joint with a three-layer fabric belt includes 150 lb. flat face flanges with carbon steel backing bars and liner. The fabric belt consists of silical fabric, fiberglass fabric and mineral wool insulation. The photos below show the process of stitching the fabric belt on the first layer.

Inlet Details Design Temp. = 203°F Design Pressure = 3 PSIG Flow Medium = Air 1 1/2″ Lateral & ± 2 3/4″ Axial	Outlet Details Design Temp. = 392°F Design Pressure= 3 PSIG Flow Medium = Air 1 1/2″ Lateral & ± 2 3/4″ Axial

These are 24″ diameter fabric expansion joints with an overall face to face dimension of 12″. Each expansion joint weighs 300 lb. Installed in the inlet and exhaust piping of a hot air blower, they can withstand temperatures of up to 850°F. These expansion joints were fabricated in three layers that consisted of aluminized fiberglass, ceramic fiber, and silica treated fabrics. The flanges were fabricated from carbon steel with special hex nuts welded to the inside of the bolt holes. The stud bolts are in place to assure correct alignment of the bolts to the flange bolt holes. Visual inspection and trial fitting of the stud bolts were performed to assure quality and performance.

These fabric expansion joints are made of stainless steel liner, flanged ends, backing bars, and PTFE impregnated fiberglass. They weigh between 370 lbs – 380 lbs and measure 81.15″ long, 18.44″ wide, and 16″ high. They are used in high temperature air ducts to allow for expansion. Its thermal growth consists of +/- 1/8 X-Y-Z directions. It is capable of withstanding 400°F at +/- 0.8 PSIG at a maximum flow of 130,650 ACFM. Standard testing was performed for quality assurance.