Metal bellows are unique structures, as they are often designed with their application in mind. They are made to be very strong yet flexible so that they can be used as a kind of connector joint in several different situations. There is a balance between flexibility and strength that is different for each bellows, depending on its intended job. This is why custom bellows are so popular. The United States [...]
What are Metal Bellows? Metal bellows are like elastic vessels that have the ability to be compressed when pressure is applied. They then re-expand back to their original shape when the pressure is off. They also extend when under a vacuum, and of course, go back to their original shape when the vacuum is released. The key component of metal bellows is that they are flexible. This balance can be [...]
Standard bellows are found all across the metalworking industry and have been in use for a long time. Modern metal bellows are elastic components that can expand or contract under pressure (or the lack thereof) and still retain their original shape. There are many different industries that benefit from this technology today. In the oil and gas industry, custom metal bellows and expansion joints are essential for petroleum systems to [...]
Choosing the right type of expansion joints can be difficult. There are so many different types, materials, and features associated with each that it can be nearly impossible to ascertain which is right for your application. Fabric and metal bellows and expansion joints are both common and come with a number of advantages and disadvantages. Here are just a few pros and cons to consider when deciding between fabric [...]
Wondering what bellows are used for in modern engineering? There's no one answer to this question, and these components have a wide range of applications. Metal exhaust bellows and expansion joints have countless applications in the exhaust industry, but perhaps most interestingly, the exhaust gas system of a ship's engine. The exhaust gas system of a marine engine has five main components: the exhaust gas pipes, the exhaust gas boiler, [...]
If you're dealing with metal bellows expansion joints failures, you're certainly not alone. Metal expansion joint failures are surprisingly common and have a number of causes, but one of the most common involves improper installation. Fortunately, understanding what leads to these failures can help you prevent them in the future. Here are just a few potential situations that can lead to improper installation of metal expansion joints. Improper Timing Of [...]
How Metal Bellows Are Made BELLOWS DESIGN Metal bellows and bellows expansion joints are placed in piping systems to absorb the thermal growth of the pipe. Each time the piping system heats up and cools down the bellows goes through 1 complete cycle. The manufacturing of a metal bellows starts with the design process. The desired life cycle of the bellows or expansion joint must be determined in order [...]
Typical Causes for Metal Expansion Joint Failures The good news is that most metal bellows expansion joint failures are preventable when proper care is taken in the design, shipping, installation and testing of the joints. This article is meant to help prevent or identify the root causes of the most common piping expansion joint failures we encounter. When in doubt contact the experts at Triad Bellows to discuss your [...]
Metal bellows VS exhaust flex hose …. What is the difference? This question gets asked over an over because of the price difference between the 2 products. While in appearance at first glance they look alike but there are major differences. The purpose of this article is to educate you on the differences between single-ply and multi-ply flexible metallic bellows and corrugated exhaust flex hose. Yes, both types are [...]
The Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association (EJMA), The Authority on Metal Expansion Joints, has revised the standards in the latest 10th Edition EJMA Standards are recognized throughout the world as the authority on the proper selection and application of metallic bellows type expansion joints for safe and reliable piping and vessel installation. The Tenth Edition standards combine the knowledge and experience of the leading manufacturers of expansion joints into an invaluable [...]