Expansion joints mitigate potential pipe damage due to extreme temperature, vibration, and movement. Two materials—rubber and metal—constitute many existing expansion joints, and each has respective advantages. To learn more about their differences and uses, read our guide to rubber bellows vs. metal bellows expansion joints.
Rubber Expansion Joints
Rubber expansion joints consist of elastomers (synthetic elastic polymer), fabric, and at times, metal reinforcers.
Advantages of Rubber
First, rubber joints are uniquely capable of dampening noise levels due to its elastomer material, whereas metal joints are primarily useful for limiting pipe vibration. Another strength of rubber is its ability to limit pipe movement. Its elastic constitution allows it to realign pipes when lateral forces are exerted on the pipe.
Uses for Rubber Expansion Joints
Engineers employ rubber for water pumps, condensers, and many more projects. This material is well-suited for certain applications when you need rubber’s increased give compared to metal.
Metal Expansion Joints
Meanwhile, metal joints consist of thin, flexible metal. These are nearly always stainless steel alloy and contain spring-like structures that withstand many different forces, including compression and expansion axial forces.
Advantages of Metal
The hallmarks of metal bellows vs. rubber bellows are metal’s capacity to handle extreme temperature and axial forces. Rubber’s temperature heat threshold is several hundred degrees Fahrenheit lower than stainless steel, and metal joints can even withstand extremely low temperatures that can also threaten pipe integrity. The high chemical density and general rigidity allow a metal joint to manage high amounts of exerted axial force compared to rubber joints. Their general lightness is a plus as well.
Uses for Metal Expansion Joints
Metal joints have wide application possibilities. Gas and oil facilities, chemical facilities, and water treatment plants, and more utilize metal bellows.
If you would like to implement metal bellows, perhaps for a job that requires an expansion joint material that can sustain extreme pressures and temperatures, contact the Triad Bellows team. We are skilled metal bellows manufacturers with years of experience in many different industries, so we can answer any specific expansion joint questions you have.
