South Carolina 1715 Hwy 29 S. / P.O. BOX 1229
Anderson, South Carolina 29622
Phone. 864-222-1710 Fax: 864-222-1306
METAL
EXPANSION JOINTS
This website outlines selection and installation of our Metal Bellows type Expansion
Joints and pump connectors for use in pipe lines and process vessels to absorb motion in the system. Our
products incorporate the latest recommendations of the Expansion joint Manufacturers Association.
Unaflex® is one of this country's leading
Expansion Joint Manufacturers. Our expertise and manufacturing
capabilities include a full range of Rubber Expansion Joints, Flue Duct,
Expansion Joint Sound Absorbers, Custom Rubber Hose, Metal Hose, Pump
Connectors an Metal Bellows Type Expansion Joints. No other manufacturer
in the United States has the capabilities of Unaflex®.
Unaflex® is a Full Service Manufacturing Organization
offering a full range of products in the highest grades of stainless steel
as well as more exotic alloys including Monel, Inconel and Hastalloy.
Quality control is rigorous and complies with requirements of MIL-I-45208
and MIL-Q-9858. Our Expansion Joints also comply with U.S. Coast Guard
requirements. Certification is available.
CONSTRUCTION DETAILS
BELLOWS PROFILE
Unaflex® “MATCHLESS” Expansion Joint Bellows are produced from
fully annealed type 321 stainless steel sheet stock rolled into a tube
and seam welded. The latest technology in forming the corrugations of
our bellows is employed. Other alloys such as Inconel, Monel, Titanium
and 316 stainless steel may be provided from our extensive inventory or
raw materials.
APPLICATIONS:
Diesel Engine Exhaust
Diesel Generator Exit and
Boiler Flue
High and Low-Pressure
Turbine Piping
Main Feed Pump Suction
Propeller Shaft Air System
Condensate Pump Suction
Saturated and Superheated
Steam
A. Fixed Flanges
Type 44 Ends are plate steel flanges conforming to ANSI dimensions
welded
directly to the integral ends of the bellows. Stainless steel and other
alloys are
available when specified.
B. Floating Flanges
Type 66 Ends are flat face plate flanges conforming to ANSI dimensions
secured to the integral end of the bellows flared (Vanstoned) to retain the
flanges. This allows the use of carbon steel flanges when the only wetted parts
will be stainless steel of the bellows. Also permits easy bolt hole alignment.
C. Welding Nipples
Type 22 Ends are carbon steel welding nipples with ANSI standard
bevel.
Schedule 40 pipe size is used through 12” diameters. 1/4” wall
thickness for
sizes over 12” unless otherwise specified.
Axial Compression is the dimensional shortening of an
Expansion Joint along its longitudinal axis while axial extension is the
dimensional lengthening of the expansion joint.
LATERAL MOVEMENT
Lateral Deflection is the relative displacement of the two ends of an
Expansion Joint perpendicular to its longitudinal axis
ANGULAR
MOVEMENT
Angular Rotation is the displacement of the longitudinal axis of the
Expansion Joint from its initial straight line position into a circular
arc.
ANCHORING AND
GUIDING To assure satisfactory performance of an
expansion joint in a piping system, it is imperative that the system
be properly anchored and guided. Anchors must be designed to
withstand the thrust forces, spring forces and guiding frictional
forces of an expansion joint. Pressure thrust must be calculated by
using the highest internal line pressure which the system will
experience. This is frequently the test pressure. Spring force can
be calculated from the expansion joint design data on pg 6-9 of out
catalog
(Click here to view charts)
The cycle life
of an expansion joint is the number of stress cycles endured, at
operating conditions. A stress cycle is defined as one complete
movement of the expansion Joint from initial to extreme position and
return.
"Matchless"
Expansion joints are rated for 7000 cycles of life at maximum
operating pressure and temperature if properly installed. For higher
cycle life requirements, consult Unaflex Engineering Dept.
Elevated
temperatures reduce both rated movement for a given cycle life and
pressure capabilities. To compensate multiply both rated movement
and maximum pressure by the temperature compensating factor in the
chart to the right.
TEMPERATURE
º F.
TEMPERATURE
COMPENSATING FACTOR
Room
Temp.
200
300
1.00
.86
.80
400
500
600
.78
.77
.74
700
800
900
.70
.66
.62
1000
1100
1200
.60
.58
.55
1300
1400
1500
.46
.35
.26
*All information
subject to change without notice.
South Carolina
1715 Hwy 29 S./ P.O. Box 1229
Anderson S.C. 29622
