Industrial applications require robust equipment and gear to operate smoothly and work firmly in harsh environments and high temperatures. In many industrial settings, expansion joints are used to relieve stress on piping and ducting systems that are caused by thermal expansion and vibration. These joints are built to handle a lot of thermal expansion, contraction, and vibration in systems that run at temperatures that are often higher than 750°F. Their importance comes from the fact that they can handle the thermal expansion that pipes go through when they carry hot media. This, in turn, helps in halting high stresses, bent pipes, cracks, and failures. Some of the features of high-temperature composite joints are as follows
- Resists Corrosion
- Eliminates Sound & Vibration
- Withstands Temperatures over 2000°F
- Reduces the number of expansion joints due to multi-plane movement
- Reduces face-to-face compared to metal
- Eliminates expenses incurred on toggles, hangers, guides, etc.
- Reduce engineering time significantly
Why are standard expansion joints not suitable for high-temperature applications?
Standard bellows expansion joints are engineered using stainless steel alloys that may degrade rapidly when they are constantly exposed to high temperatures; for instance, rubber would melt at high temperatures.It will make these materials lose their elasticity and become brittle, leading to premature failure. High temperatures can also lead to many other issues in standard expansion joints, such as
- Deformation (Creep): Materials deform permanently under sustained stress at high temperatures.
- Oxidation & Corrosion: Chemical reactions accelerate and lead to material degradation. High-temperature expansion joints are made using specialised materials.
Benefits of High-Temperature Composite Joints
- High Heat Resistance: These expansion joints are capable of withstanding temperatures up to 1200°C.Their capability depends on the materials used. These composite joints are suitable for applications close to heat sources.
- Durability: Composite materials are resistant to heat as well as corrosion. These qualities help in significantly increase the life of the expansion joint.
- Customizability: These expansion joints can be tailored to meet specific requirements. They can design solutions based on size, shape, or material composition. It provides more flexibility to design a solution which is the best fit for your existing system.
- Ease of Installation: These expansion joints are easy to install. This helps in minimising downtime and labour costs, speeding up project timelines. In this way, using high-temperature bellows expansion joints in your setup is a way to create a resilient and efficient system
Tips for maintaining high-pressure expansion joints
- If you want to reap the maximum benefits of your expansion joints, it is important to take care of them. There are simple things that can be done to optimise the performance of your bellows expansion joints.
- First of all, regular inspections are inevitable for maintaining the performance of the expansion joints. It helps in detecting the wear and tear before it leads to failure.
- One must also keep a keen eye on signs of fraying, tearing, or material degradation and take appropriate action at the earliest.
- It is important to catch issues early and take appropriate action as they can worsen rapidly under high temperatures.
- The expansion joints must be cleaned regularly to get rid of dust and debris that has accumulated on them. A soft brush or a gentle vacuum should be used for removing any foreign materials that could affect the functionality of the expansion joints. If they are not cleaned regularly, it leads to abrasion and decreased flexibility.
Advanced Flexible Systems, Inc. is equipped with tools, talent and technology required for making long-lasting expansion joints out of high-temperature composites. These high-temperature joints have different layers of thermal insulation and vapour barriers that protect them from the heat and pressure that come with it. The agency also sells covers for expansion joints to protect the composite rubber joints from outside forces. If you are looking for reliable and long-lasting expansion joints, connect with our team for customised solutions.
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