All About Metal Expansion Bellows

The metal expansion bellows actually is a kind of piping connector with good flexibility and high strength. It is the essential connection equipment in piping systems, playing function of thermal expansion absorption and movement compensation.

The metal expansion bellows are various in shapes and materials, round or rectangular, single bellows or double bellows, flanged connection or welded connection, carbon steel or stainless steel, selecting depends on application diversity. Let’s see several frequently asked question about metal expansion bellows.

metal expansion joint

Question One: what signs indicate metal expansion joint failure?

Typically there are welding failure, medium leakage, bellows deformation that indicate the metal expansion joint needs to be inspected or replaced. Some users don’t treat it seriously when handling metal expansion joint failures, it’s non advisable because “a little leak will sink a great ship”, safety always comes first.

Question Two: what may cause metal expansion joint failure?

Improper installation method is the most common type that cause damage to metal expansion bellows. For instance, installing the metal expansion bellows in wrong direction or wrong location, of course it will fail. Or the metal expansion joint failure is caused by shipping or handling damages, possible causes like wrong stacking of packages, being struck by hard objects( like adjacent structures, hard tools, chain falls, etc.), insufficient protection from bad weather, even dropping from high place.

Question Three: what is a metal expansion bellows and what is a bellows?

Typically a bellows is the major component for metal expansion bellows, it is used to make an expansion joint. And a finished metal expansion bellows must composed of bellows and other end fittings to enable it connect to pipelines.

Question Four: what’s the difference between metal expansion bellows and metal flexible hose?

The metal bellows is designed for compensating movements in three directions: lateral, angular and axial, the product itself has strong strength and no need of braiding steel wire to enhance strength; while a flexible metal hose is designed for lateral offset, it is not applicable for extension or compression. It always require a braided steel wire to enhance strength so as to handle pressure.

Above is the possible signs of metal expansion joint failure and explained what causes the failure. If you are interested in our product, please email to best@lanphan.com.