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Spiroflex d.o.o.
Ljudevita Gaja 7
35 208 Ruščica
Croatia

Phone: +385 35 _212 425
e-mail: info@spiroflex.hr

Metal expansion joints

Technical Information

The expansion joints

Stainless steel expansion joints are special devices which compensate thermal pipe expansion or contraction and absorb equipment vibration or pipe motions.
Bellows is a basic part of expansion joint and it is made by forming metal cylinder into annular corrugations. The bellows can be single or multi-ply.
The bellows properties and their flexibility depend on shape of convolutions, thickness and number of plies. Convolution geometry and the above characteristics determine the pressure resistance, bellows spring rates and all kinds of movement absorption.

single ply

two plies

multi-ply

Materials for bellows and their temperature limits

Materials				Temperature °C
Type	EN 10027-2	Steel name	USA AISI	min.	max.

Stainless austenitic steels	1.4301	X5CrNi18-10	304	-196	550

	1.4306	X2CrNi19-11	304L	-270	550

	1.4401	X5CrNiMo17-12-2	316	-196	550

	1.4404	X2CrNiMo17-12-2	316L	-270	550

	1.4435	X5CrNiMo18-14-3		-270	550

	1.4541	X6CrNiTi18-10	321	-270	550

	1.4550	X6CrNiNb18-10	347	-196	550

	1.4571	X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2	316Ti	-270	550

Heat resistant austenitic steels	1.4828	X15CrNiSi20-12	309	-196	550

	1.4876	X10NiCrAlTi32-21 X10NiCrAlTi32-21 (H)	Incoloy 800	-196	600 (900)

Nickel alloys	2.4610	NiMo16Cr16Ti	Hastelloy C4	-196	400

	2.4816	NiCr15Fe	Inconel 600	-10 (-270)	450 (900)

	2.4856	NiCr22Mo9Nb	Inconel 625	-196 (-270)	450 (900)

	2.4360	NiCu30Fe	Monel 400	-196	425

	2.4858	NiCr21Mo	Incoloy 825	-10	540

Bellows materials

Spiroflex designs and manufactures bellows out of material that is kept on stock, or procures it as new contract is agreed, as follows.

W.Nr. 1.4541 (AISI 321)
The basic material for bellows manufacturing which generally satisfies demands for wide application e.g. cooling or heating systems. This material contains titanium which is used as stabilizing element, increases resistance to intercrystalline corrosion.

W.Nr. 1.4571 (AISI 316Ti)
Normally used in heating systems, food and chemical industry, and also in exhaust systems. Just as by 1.4541 material, the titanium content increases resistance to intercrystalline corrosion, the addition on manganese increases resistance to pitting corrosion at media which contain chlorides.

W.Nr. 1.4404 (AISI 316L)
Material with low carbon content (under 0,03%) and good resistance to intercrystalline corrosion. This material and 1.4571 are interchangeable and generally can be used for the same application.

W.Nr. 1.4828 (AISI 309)
Heat resistant austenitic steel for application at high temperatures and aggressive media. It has high resistance to corrosion and oxidation caused by high temperatures and it is ideal for applications where mechanical properties are important. It is used at furnace engineering and other high temperature applications.

W.Nr. 1.4876 (Incoloy 800H)
Heat resisting high strength steel, resistant to oxidation and other damaging effects at high temperature exposure. General corrosion resistance is excellent. Suitable for temperatures of 600 (900) °C.

W.Nr. 2.4816 (Inconel 600)
Nickel-chromium alloy for application at high temperatures and aggressive media. Resistant to chloride stress corrosion cracking, corrosion by high purity water, caustic corrosion. Used in chemical and food industry, nuclear engineering.

W.Nr. 2.4856 (Inconel 625 LCF)
Material specially produced for application for bellows. Resistant to sea water, pitting and crevice corrosion. Used in chemical processing, marine and nuclear engineering, aerospace engineering etc.

W.Nr. 2.4360 (Monel 400)
Nickel-copper alloy with high resistance to sea water and steam at high temperatures, resistant in a range of acidic and alkaline environments. It is used in chemical industry, desalination, oil industry, marine engineering etc.

W.Nr. 2.4858 (Incoloy 825)
This is austenitic nickel-iron-chromium alloy with addition of molybdenum and copper. Very resistant to a variety of corrosion environments like: chloride pitting, stress corrosion cracking, intercrystalline corrosion and crevice corrosion. It is used in chemical, oil, gas industry, acid production, pollution control equipment etc.

Movements

The movement of bellows depends on convolution geometry and properties of materials used. The bellows from our production program absorb axial, lateral and angular movements.

Axial movement

Axial movement is the motion which occurs parallel to the bellows axis. This movement is generally expressed as compression or shortening and extension or elongation of bellows.

Lateral movement

Lateral movement is the motion perpendicular to the centerline of bellows. It is the ability of bellows to absorb lateral deflection of bellows.

Angular movement

Angular movement is the rotation or bending of a bellows element.

Connection components of expansion joints

The bellows – elastic part of expansion joints are welded or joined at connecting elements: pipe ends, flanges and threaded connections. The connecting pieces are welded by TIG, microplasma, MIG or MAG welding.

Connecting elements welded by TIG or microplasma procedure

Priključci zavareni TIG ili mikroplazma postupkom

Connecting elements welded by TIG or microplasma procedure

Connecting elements welded by TIG, MIG or MAG procedure

Expansion joint with loose flange

Internal sleeves

Internal sleeves as protection for bellows should be specified for all expansion joints in the following cases:

If media contain abrasive material
When it is necessary to hold friction at minimum and if smooth flow is desired
When flow velocities are high and could produce resonant vibrations of the bellows, installation of internal sleeves is recommended in accordance to diagram below
If turbulent flow is generated by changes in flows direction (valves, tee of elbow sections, pumps, T-pieces)

Criteria for determining the need for internal sleeve – for speeds above the curves internal sleeves should be used