expansion joint
- November 03, 2023
From the outside, an elastomeric expansion joint looks to simply be made out of molded rubber. Part of the reason expansion joints are used in such a wide variety of applications is that the interior construction of a joint can be custom-designed to handle your specific application - materials of construction will depend on size, temperature, application, media, pressure (S.T.A.M.P.).
Layers of Construction
Tube
- Synthetic or natural rubber forms seamless, leak-proof lining
- Extends fully through bore to outer flange edge
- Common materials include chlorobutyl, neoprene, natural rubber, EPDM, Viton* and Hypalon*
- September 26, 2023
Garlock ABRA-SHIELD™ Expansion Joints
Garlock launched of ABRA-SHIELD™ in 2018, an expansion joint material designed for abrasion resistance and sustainability in demanding high temperature operating conditions.
As the newest addition to Garlock’s family of abrasion resistant expansion joint materials, ABRA-SHIELD™ joined ABRA-LINE® and Natural Rubber to provide a variety of liners that cater to increased abrasion protection. ABRA-SHIELD™ will be an option for use with a number of expansion joint products that Garlock offers – including styles 204, 206, 7250, 8400 and 9394. These expansion joints also provide high levels of protection from stress, misalignment, vibration, noise, shock and corrosion.
- September 11, 2020
Garlock Style 215 Helps Steel Products Manufacturer With Harsh Acids
Garlock Style 215 Expansion Joints are PTFE concentric spool-type flexible couplings that are designed to reduce noise and compensate for expansion, contraction, and minor piping misalignment in chemical processing, air conditioning, and heating systems.
The complete assembly includes a fluorocarbon resin PTFE body, electroless nickle-plated ductile iron flanges, polyethylene-covered restriction zinc plated bolts, and stainless steel corrosion-resistant reinforcing rings.
Case Study
INDUSTRY
Primary Metals
CUSTOMER
South American manufacturer of flat and long steel products
BACKGROUND
Construction of two new facilities including a hot rolling mill.
CHALLENGES FACED
The plant was in need of expansion joints that could handle chemicals on their pickling lines. Pickling is a metal surface treatment used to remove impurities, such as stains, inorganic contaminants, rust or scale from ferrous metals. A solution called pickle liquor, which contains strong acids, is used to remove the surface impurities. It is commonly used to clean steel in various steel making processes. The line required an expansion joint with a PTFE tube to handle the pickle liquor which included hydrochloric and sulfuric acid, but a very short overall length for installation.
- January 21, 2020
Garlock Style 204 Rubber Expansion Joint
The Style 204 family of spool-type expansion joints are manufactured with the industry standard narrow arch design. This style is intended to be used in dynamic conditions where both pressure and vacuum concerns are present.
Features and Benefits
- Fully laboratory and field tested for long life and exceptional reliability
- High pressure and vacuum resistance offer increased safety and ensure suitability for a wide range of applications
- Single and multi-arch designs are available for a range of movement capabilities
- Concentric and eccentric reducing configurations can be provided to join piping of unequal diameters
- December 18, 2018
The ABRA-LINE™ family of products was developed for highly abrasive applications typically found in the power generation, fertilizer, mining and chemical industries. These may include flue gas desulphurization systems, phosphate mining, dry bulk power transfer systems, tailings and slurry applications. Our proprietary urethane formula was designed to reduce wear and extend
service life.Style 404 Expansion Joints are specially designed for full vacuum abrasive service applications. The tube material is a proprietary urethane formulation. Style 404 can be constructed as a single or multiple arch design. It can also connect pipe flanges in concentric or eccentric tapers, to join piping of unequal diameters.
Case Study: Chemical Processing
Industry
Chemical ProcessingObservation
A stainless hosing was used and would continuously fail due to abrasion on the leading edge of the hose. The hosing would last for 3 to 6 months before replacement. - September 28, 2017
In July, Gallagher released its Expansion Joint Design Guide, now available for download on our site. This design guide takes an in-depth look at elastomeric, metal, and flue duct expansion joints. The excerpt below is a section of our Expansion Joint Design Guide focusing on types of flue duct expansion joints. To download the entire guide, visit our Resources Page, or click on the image to the right.
Flue Duct Expansion Joints
Used to manage air and gas handling systems, flue duct expansion joints are most widely utilized in the Power Generation, Industrial & Institutional industries:
- August 24, 2017
Gallagher recently released its Expansion Joint Design Guide, now available for download on our site. This design guide takes an in-depth look at elastomeric, metal, and flue duct expansion joints. The excerpt below is a section of our Expansion Joint Design Guide focusing on types of metal expansion joints. To download the entire guide, visit our Resources Page, or click on the image to the right.
Much like elastomeric expansion joints, metal expansion joints are used to preserve the integrity of a piping system where the piping is subject to changes in temperature, pressure, vibration, compression, extension, cyclical movements or movements required by usage.
Oftentimes, metal expansion joints are used when an elastomeric joint simply cannot handle the extreme conditions - applications where high temperature, large temperature range, or high pressure exists. Generally, metal expansion joints can be used from -450°F to +2000°F, depending on the metallurgy, and can also handle pressures from full vacuum to 3,000psi.
Metal Expansion Joint Components
Though customized and intricate expansion joints can be manufactured for a variety of specialized applications, there are four basic designs that are most commonly used:
Basic Bellows
A bellows can be supplied without end fittings for field installation. The skirt, or straight portion at each end of the bellows, can be sized to fit a flange or pipe. Skirt length can vary depending on your needs and should be specified when ordered.
Unrestrained Single
An unrestrained single expansion joint is best used by piping systems which are equipped with proper guides and anchors to absorb axial, angular, and a small amount of lateral movement.
- August 08, 2017
Gallagher recently released its Expansion Joint Design Guide, now available for download on our site. This design guide takes an in-depth look at elastomeric, metal, and flue duct expansion joints. The excerpt below is a section of our Expansion Joint Design Guide focusing on types of elastomeric joint installation, pipe layouts, and joint troubleshooting. To download the entire guide, visit our Resources Page, or click on the image to the right.
Preparation
Check Service Range
- Double check expansion joint performance limits against anticipated operating conditions
- Check temperature, pressure, vacuum recommendations
- Check total joint deflection—alter as needed to reduce deflection to correct range
- Anchor lines
Check Location
- Proper location is usually close to main anchoring point
- Install pipe guide(s) for proper alignment
- Joint should absorb pipeline expansion / contraction between fixed anchor points
- June 29, 2017
An expansion joint can relieve stress in piping systems and prevent flange gaskets from being crushed. But which expansion joint is best for your specific application? Let us first describe the two types of expansion joints:
Rubber — a flexible connector fabricated of natural and/or synthetic elastomers and fabric and, if necessary, internal metallic reinforcements designed to provide stress relief in piping systems due to thermal movements and mechanical vibration.
Metal — a flexible element (bellows) constructed of relatively thin gauge material (generally stainless steel) designed to absorb mechanical and thermal movements expected in service.
Advantages: Metal Expansion Joints
Temperature
Rubber joints with standard construction and materials have an upper range to 230°F. Most manufacturers, however, can offer special constructions up to 400°F. Metal expansion joints do offer a far greater range, from -420°F to +1800°F. However, working pressures are reduced at elevated temperatures. - June 27, 2017
Gallagher recently released its Expansion Joint Design Guide, now available for download on our site. This design guide takes an in-depth look at elastomeric, metal, and flue duct expansion joints. The excerpt below is the first section of our Expansion Joint Design Guide, diving into elastomeric expansion joints, and what to consider when selecting which joint is right for your application. To download the entire guide, visit our Resources Page, or click on the image to the right.
What is an Expansion Joint?
An expansion joint is a specially engineered product inserted in a rigid piping system to achieve one or more of the following:
- Absorb movement
- Relieve system strain due to thermal change
- Reduce mechanical noise
- Compensate for misalignment
- Eliminate electrolysis between dissimilar metals (metal expansion joints)
They are built to expand, contract, and adjust without straining or breaking the piping or ducting on either side. Essentially, an expansion joint is meant to protect the piping system from damage.