Tag: faq

The anchors are located at the lower floor and upper floor of chilled water risers and guides should be located on alternating floors. The expansion joints should then be located near the main anchors.

An intermediate anchor is a stop in the piping system that divides the movement between expansion joints.

Convolutions are the smallest flexible unit of a bellows. The total movement capacity of a bellows is proportional to the number of convolutions.

We generally use universal primer for expansion joints, unless the customer specifies a specific paint.

Yes, the limit rod will prevent damage of expansion joint in case of anchor failure in the line. Also, the rod will prevent damage to the expansion joint by distributing the movements evenly between the bellows

US Bellows, Inc. designs bellows for condition requirements.

The branch of a balanced Tee is in the flow path.

It depends upon the diameter of the expansion joints. Generally for the smaller expansion joints, seamless is available.

It depends upon the pipeline design. For example, if there is a long run of pipe on both sides, then we need guides on both sides. If the expansion joint is located close to an anchor, then guides are only required on the long side.

You should never punch a hole into an expansion joint.

Yes, this expansion joint is obviously more expensive than the similar types, however they may result in a lower overall system cost when the elimination of main anchoring is considered.

Yes, it is safe to use 304 Stainless Steel, but high alloy materials such as Inconel® and Monel® are better options for a salt water atmosphere.

Expansion joints should be pre-compressed for low-temperature/cryogenic applications because when the pipe gets cold it will contract.

We have standard lengths that are listed in our catalog, however, we can make our expansion joints longer or shorter than what our catalog states. We also can furnish piping assemblies with pipe and fitting as may be required.

Buckling typically occurs while the pipe in compression mode and is not normally related to the tension mode of the pipe.

The expansion joint cycle is a design condition – stated by the customer or a number we provide according to the design of the expansion joint which refers to the expansion joint moving from the neutral position to compression and back to neutral.

We recommend the use of furnace bags to seal high temperature tubes that penetrate the furnace floor.

In order to remove an expansion joint from a pipeline you must first shut off the fluid or gas flowing through the piping system. Then you must install braces across the bellows so that the expansion joint does not move. The expansion joint can then be removed by unbolting the flanges or cutting the expansion joint out of the pipeline.

As a minimum the following information should be provided when ordering an expansion joint:

• Size of the line.

• Design pressure.

• Design temperature.

• Design movements and required cycle life.

• Overall length requirement, if any.

• Type of end connections.

• Bellows material.

• Pipe material.

• Flange specification and material.

• Type of expansion joint.

• Accessories.

The number of convolutions is based upon EJMA design formulas for bellows.