Externally-Pressurized Expansion Joints are Designed to Replace:
High Maintenance Packed Joints * Space Confining Pipe Loops * Costly Equalizing Expansion Joints
MULTI-PLY SAFETY FACTORS - In a critical application, a multi-ply
expansion joint can in most cases preclude a catastrophic failure. If a failure
occurs in one ply due to corrosion or fatigue, the intact plies will work as a
protective barrier to contain the pressure and the medium until a replacement
can be made. Flex-Weld Multi-ply expansion joints are designed to provide
utmost safety in the event of system failure. The burst pressures are a multiplier
of the operating pressure making the Flex-Weld multi-ply bellows the
most reliable component in the system.
CYCLE LIFE OPTIMIZATION - The technical advantage of using multiple
plies of thin wall thickness material is that less residual stresses are introduced at
the time of bellows forming. Overall, Flex-Weld multi-ply expansion joints have
lower built-in and induced stresses which ultimately results in longer cycle life.
Also, the thinner gauge multiple plies have less localized induced stresses during
operation compared to a single thicker ply. The configuration of the convolutions
(pitch, depth, contour, number of plies, ply thickness) of FLEX-WELD multi-ply
expansion joints are optimized to offer the highest fatigue life.
COMPACT DESIGN - Multi-ply expansion joints have more flexibility than conventional
single-ply expansion joints and thus require less live length to accommodate a
given movement. The live length of the bellows can be minimized to absorb a given
combination of axial, lateral and angular movements. This results in an economical
compact assembly which can be installed in a minimal amount of space. An additional
benefit is a small effective area resulting in lower thrust pressures on the anchors and
mechanical equipment in the system.
LOWER THRUST FORCES - The multi-ply design results in lower spring
rates. Also, the effective cross sectional area of multi-ply expansion joints is less,
compared to single-ply bellows, to accommodate a given movement. These two
reductions result in lower forces and moments on the anchors, equipment and
guides. A side benefit is that less anchors and guides will be required in the overall
bellows piping system. |
Submittals