Expansion Joints

What is an Expansion Joint?

Expansion Joints are flexible connectors designed to provide stress relief and seal-in media for ducting systems throughout a wide range of applications. They can be supplied from many types of materials including low-temperature elastomers to medium and hi-temperature fabrics and fluoroplastics.

There are four main situations where an expansion joint is used:

Expansion or contraction of the duct due to temperature changes.
Isolation of components to minimize the effects of vibration or noise.
Movement of components during process operations.
Installation or removal of large components and erection tolerances.

U-Belt Design (Type 1)
Flanged Flat Belt Design (Type 2)
L-Frame Design (Type 3)
Z-Frame Design (Type 4)
G-Frame Design (Type 5)

There are two basic types of Expansion Joint: Non-metallic and Metallic

Advantages of Non-Metallic Expansion Joints include:

Large movements in a short length.
The flexible element portion of the expansion joint assembly can be replaced simply and economically.
Ability to absorb simultaneous movements easily in more than one plane.
Little to no force exerted into the ducting.
Modern materials for use in aggressive chemical conditions or high temperature applications.
Can be hoisted into place with a minimum of, or sometimes no, field assembly.
Provide a high degree of vibration damping and are relatively lightweight.
Low overall general cost.

Advantages of Metallic Expansion Joints include:

Can take very high duct pressure.
Does not allow leakage of gases or liquids.
Non-combustible.
Generally maintenance free.

What is an Expansion Joint?

There are two basic types of Expansion Joint: Non-metallic and Metallic

Advantages of Non-Metallic Expansion Joints include:

Advantages of Metallic Expansion Joints include:

FLEXTECH INDUSTRIES IS A PROUD MEMBER OF THE FLUID SEALING ASSOCIATION.