Whether you’re new to the manufacturing industry or an old pro, there are plenty of technical terms that go along with your daily work, some of which might be unfamiliar. The amount of technical language surrounding manufacturing, specifically metal bellows and expansion joints, can be intimidating if you’re not familiar with it. Here are some common terms you might hear when talking about metal bellows on the job.

 

  • Axial and Lateral: Axial and lateral both refer to directional movement. Axial refers to movement along a longitudinal axis, whereas lateral refers to movement perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

 

  • Corrosion: Corrosion refers to the deterioration of metal, something which metal bellows and expansion joints must actively withstand under the tough conditions of manufacturing. For example, to resist the corrosive effects of salt in marine environments, many metal bellows used in marine conditions use alloys containing molybdenum, which has a melting point of 4,748 degrees Fahrenheit.

 

  • Design Temperature: The design temperature is the maximum temperature that the metal bellows will be expected to withstand during normal operations, and dictates much of the design process. Standard bellows need to be manufactured with the correct material in order to withstand the design temperature.

 

  • Mechanical forming: This is the process used in forming metal bellows. While the exact process will vary depending on the necessary product specifications, forming metal bellows usually involves convoluting a roll of thin metal to create waves that will be shaped into the final bellows.

 

  • Solderings and fittings: With metal bellows and expansion joints, soldering and fittings can either be fusion welds or soft solders. Fusion welds are typically used for more permanent fittings, whereas soft soldering is used for looser connections.

 

If you’re new to manufacturing or have been working in the field for years, learning these simple terms can help you navigate conversations about metal expansion joints and bellows. Learn these terms to get yourself started, and you’ll be a pro in no time.

 

Looking for metal bellows or expansion joints for your manufacturing business? Contact Triad Bellows for all your high-pressure expansion joints and custom bellows, or for more information on how these mechanical parts could help improve your manufacturing.