Typically, expansion joint bellows consist of a single ply of corrugated metal. Though this thin layer appears weak, it stands up to significant directional forces, pressure demands, and thermal changes.
In extreme circumstances, your pipe system could require multi-ply bellows, of which the 5-ply variety is particularly helpful. To learn what the advantages of 5-ply bellows are specifically, read our brief introduction to this alternative.
The Purpose of Bellows
The general purpose of bellows is to allow for a certain range of motion without risk of cracking. Because of their spring-like form, they can accommodate axial compression and expansion as well as lateral and angular forces. They shift during operation and return to their original position afterward, whereas a length of static pipe is more likely to fail in its place.
5-Ply Bellows Mitigate Severe Vibrations
While directional forces play a large role, they aren’t constant in a pipe system, fluctuating unpredictably. As temperature and pressure changes, so do the forces that act on expansion joint bellows. These fluctuations create vibrations, and when these vibrations resonate, they threaten the integrity of your pipes. Even single-ply expansion joints meant to mitigate vibrations can fail if vibrations are severe enough.
By comparison, 5-ply bellows can dampen the most violent resonating vibrations and come with high pressure ratings, making them perfect for more intense environments. The marine industry, for one, requires 5-ply bellows to lower the number of cracking incidents caused by ships’ exhaust systems while also tackling thermal growth better than alternative bellows.
They Provide Useful Redundancies
Another advantage to 5-ply bellows is the built-in redundancy additional layers of metal allows. If one or several plies crack under pressure, you don’t experience a complete system shutdown. This gives your workers the ability to locate and report on cracks and seek out a repair before the joint fails. In the process, you gain peace of mind and, in the event of an issue, save money on repairs.
A Long Cycle Life
Also, 5-ply bellows have a longer lifespan than other bellows. The metric for lifespan isn’t time, but rather cycle life. One cycle constitutes bellows’ transition from rest to shifting with system stress back to the original position. The added strength of 5-ply bellows allows them to complete more cycles without cracking or excessively weakening.
For more information on 5-ply bellows, contact Triad Bellows, one of the nation’s leading metal bellows manufacturers. We design custom 5-ply bellows that can seamlessly fit your facility’s pipe system.
