Expansion joints serve multiple purposes in pipe work and duct systems to mitigate damage caused by thermal growth. However, high heat has a significant influence on the manufacture and intention of metal bellows.
This article will discover three ways temperature can affect your expansion joints.
Thermal Expansion
When metal bellows come into contact with high heat, their length, surface area, and volume expand. Expansion joints are helpful when mitigating the effects of thermal expansion and contraction during temperature shifts and high-temperature substance movements.
While the degree of thermal expansion occurs according to the metal type, accommodating for the reaction during the component’s design is vital.
Structure and Design
Expansion joints are a form of bellow devices. Bellows contain a series of convolutions designed to withstand the internal pressures of a complete piping system.
While high heat may not affect the functionality of a metal expansion joint, extreme temperatures are present during their design.
Heating the metal during its manufacture displaces atoms into a new structure, causing an allotropic phase transformation and altering the metal’s hardness, strength, and flexibility.
Insulation and Condensation
High-temperature ducting systems may often require insulation to conserve energy and prevent condensation buildup that leads to corrosion. A poorly designed expansion joint may promote and exacerbate corrosion.
In this case, you’ll want to prioritize expansion joints with a thermal barrier to resist heat, moisture, and acid attacks. An extra layer can support metal bellows and help them remain strong when exposed to pressure.
Temperature can affect your expansion joints in multiple ways. However, the material and design are imperative to its efficiency in handling internal or external pressures and thermal expansion.
Triad Bellows is a leading expansion joint supplier and pipe, joint manufacturer. Our engineers utilize high-grade material to provide top-tier, custom components for your industrial challenges. Our custom selection contains long-lasting products; please consider browsing our catalog today to get started.
