RADCOFLEX

technical aspects
metal expansion joints
flexible solutions

construction
A metal bellows expansion joint is a fabricated item
to be fitted into a pipeline to absorb movements
in and forces exerted on the pipeline. The joint
consists of a metal bellows element with flanges
or pipe weld ends fitted to facilitate the bolting or
welding of the joint into a pipeline. Control devices,
commonly called hardware in the industry, can be
attached to control the direction and amounts of
movement that the expansion joint achieves.

how a joint works

The bellows element is a metal cylinder into which
circumferential convolutions (corrugations) are
formed to create a flexible seal. These
convolutions flex when the joint is subjected to
forces within the piping system, generally
thermal. The number of convolutions in the bellows
depends upon the amount of movement the
bellows must accommodate or the force that must
be used to accomplish this deflection. Pressure
thrust forces are required to be absorbed by other
devices attached to the bellows or adjoining
pipework including anchors, hinges, gimbal rings,
or tie (control) rods.

pipework system design

Radcoflex strongly recommends that you seek the
advice of a qualified pipework engineer on your
pipework system and expansion joint selection.

types of movement
A metal bellows expansion joint can be fabricated
to accommodate axial, lateral or angular
movements. Angular movement is the least severe
on the bellows element of the three and lateral the
most severe.
Control devices would generally be required to be
fitted to the joint where these movements occur
concurrently.

Full technical specification booklets are available

from Radcoflex to aid selection.

data sheet - MJ 001

RADCOFLEX reserves the right to change product specifications without notice. RADCOFLEX Trade Mark of Radcoflex Australia Pty Limited. 2006/07
 RADCOFLEX
fatigue life and spring rates
metal expansion joints
flexible solutions

fatigue life Full technical specification booklets are available

The fatigue life of an expansion joint can be from Radcoflex to aid selection.
defined as the total number of complete cycles
which can be expected from the expansion joint
based on data tabulated from tests performed at
room temperature. A cycle can be defined as one
complete movement of the joint from its initial
position to its moved position and back again.

The fatigue life of an expansion joint is affected by

a number of factors including:
- the operating pressure
- the operating temperature
- the bellows material used
- the thickness of the bellows material
- the movement required per convolution
- the height, shape and pitch of the convolutions
- bellows heat treatment requirements

A change in any of these factors will change the life

of the expansion joint.

The standard Radcoflex catalogue listed expansion

joints (with the exception of the externally
pressurised AXI - line joints) have an expected life
of 5000 full cycles.

pipework system design

Radcoflex strongly recommends that you seek the
advice of a qualified pipework engineer on your
pipework system and expansion joint selection.

spring rates
The measure of a bellows flexibility is known as its
spring rate.
This can be further defined as the force in
Newtons required to deflect the bellows 1mm (or
a force in pounds required to deflect the bellows
1 inch). The degree of flexibility in a bellows is
determined by the shape of the convolutions and
the thickness of the bellows wall. Generally, the
deeper the convolution and the thinner the wall, the
greater its flexibility.

data sheet - MJ 001

RADCOFLEX reserves the right to change product specifications without notice. RADCOFLEX Trade Mark of Radcoflex Australia Pty Limited. 2006/07
 RADCOFLEX
metal bellows elements
metal expansion joints
flexible solutions

description
A sheet of metal rolled into a cylinder and seam
welded using the GTAW (TIG) welding process.
Convolutions (corrugations) are formed into the
wall of the element. The element may be single ply
or multi-ply ( i.e. with two or more cylinders inside
each other ).

applications
The element absorbs axial (longitudinal)
and lateral (offset) movements through the change
in shape of the convolutions as the element
moves. Generally used in industrial and exhaust
piping installations to absorb pipe movements and
vibrations. pressure capability
The pressure capability of the element is
materials of construction determined by the thickness of the material and
The selection of the material is generally the controls on its movement.
dependent upon the temperature and corrosion
resistance requirements of the application. Typical movement capability
materials include: The amount of movement the element is capable
- Stainless Steel grades 304, 316, 321 of is dependent upon the number, height, shape
- High Nickel Alloys eg. Incoloy, Inconel, and pitch of the convolutions in the element.
Monel, 253MA, Hastelloy C (registered trade
names), nickel, carbon steel The type of movement is determined by the control
hardware attached to the element and surrounding
pipework eg. flanges, tie rods, hinge plates,
methods of forming convolutions anchors, etc
Mechanical - pneumatically applied internal
forming tools
Rolling - repeated rolling of cylinder over
forming wheels
Hydraulic - controlled internal water pressure

Radcoflex can form bellows elements by all three

methods.

bore size range

25 - 3800mm
The bore of the standard element is sized to slip
over the outside of matching standard pipework to
enhance flow characteristics.

data sheet - MJ 001

RADCOFLEX reserves the right to change product specifications without notice. RADCOFLEX Trade Mark of Radcoflex Australia Pty Limited. 2006/07
 RADCOFLEX
liners for metal bellows
metal expansion joints
flexible solutions

description bore size - standard

A sheet of metal rolled into a cylinder and seam The internal liner is generally sized to have a bore
welded using the GTAW (TIG) welding process. 10mm less in diameter than the bellows element
The cylinder is attached to the inside of a bellows however if the joint is to be used for lateral
element, so as to cover all the convolutions of the movement or angular rotation, additional clearance
element, to improve the performance of the will need to be allowed between the liner and
expansion joint where applicable. the element to enable the element to move as
required.
purpose
A liner is used where it is necessary:
- to ensure smooth flow of the media
- to minimise friction losses
- to minimise resonant vibration caused by high
flow velocities
- to reduce the effects of turbulent flow upstream of
the expansion joint
- to prevent erosion of the bellows wall from
chemical and abrasive attack
- to reduce the temperature of the bellows in high
temperature applications

materials of construction
The material of the internal liner is generally the
same as for the bellows element it is to fit.The
selection of the material is generally dependent
upon the temperature and corrosion resistance
requirements of the application. Typical materials
include:
- Stainless Steel grades 304, 316, 321
- High Nickel Alloys eg. Incoloy, Inconel,
Monel, 253MA, Hastelloy C (registered trade
names), nickel.

flow velocities
Internal liners are recommended when flow
velocities exceed:

For air, steam and other gases

- up to 150mm dia 1.2 m/s
- over 150mm dia 7.6 m/s

For water and other liquids

- up to 150mm dia 500 mm/s
- over 150mm dia 3 m/s

data sheet - MJ 001

RADCOFLEX reserves the right to change product specifications without notice. RADCOFLEX Trade Mark of Radcoflex Australia Pty Limited. 2006/07

installation instructions
metal expansion joints
expansion joint installations
The expansion joint bellows element is constructed
of a relatively thin gauge material in order to
provide the flexibility to absorb thermal and
mechanical movements expected in service.
The service life of the bellows will be shortened
by improper handling and/or installation. This can
arise through direct physical damage to the
bellows, stresses imposed during installation and
other factors. Some basic instructions must be
followed for the safe and proper installation of the
expansion joint.
pipework system design
Radcoflex strongly recommends that you seek the
advice of a qualified pipework engineer on your
pipework system and expansion joint selection.
Expansion joints require careful guiding and
anchoring in the piping system to perform to their
engineered capability.
pipe anchors
The purpose of a pipe anchor is to divide a pipeline
into individual expanding sections. Because
thermal growth cannot be restrained, it becomes
the function of pipe anchors to limit and control
the amount of movement which expansion joints
located between these anchors, will absorb.
Turbines, pumps, compressors, heat exchangers
etc may possibly function as anchors.
pipe guides
Correct alignment of the adjoining pipe is very
important in the proper functioning of an expansion
joint. Pipe guides are necessary to ensure proper
application of movement of the expansion joint and
to prevent buckling of the line.
receiving inspection
Upon arrival, identify and inspect the expansion
joint for any obvious damage during transit. We
recommend the joint is stored in its original
packaging until ready for installation. Contact
Radcoflex immediately if repairs are required.
data sheet - MJ 001
RADCOFLEX reserves the right to change product specifications without notice. RADCOFLEX Trade Mark of Radcoflex Australia Pty Limited. 2006/07
RADCOFLEX
flexible solutions
installation guidelines
1. Anchors, guides and pipe supports must be
installed in strict accordance with the piping system
drawing.
Any field variances from the planned installation
may affect the proper functioning of the joint.
2. No movement (compression, extension, offset
rotation and most importantly, torque) or stresses
must be imposed upon the joint during installation.
This may occur through piping or flange bolt hole
misalignment, or mishandling.
The pressure capacity, cycle life and stability of the
bellows may be diminished, and forces imposed on
adjacent pipework or equipment by such actions.
3. Expansion joints fitted with an internal flow liner
must be installed correctly in accordance with the
direction of flow.
4. Extreme care must be taken during unloading,
handling and installation to prevent damage to the
thin bellows section.
Damage may include dents, scores, arc strikes and
weld spatter which may be detrimental to the safe
and satisfactory operation of the joint.
Protect the bellows with a wet thermal insulation
blanket during welding installation.
5. Shipping bars (painted yellow) must be removed
from the joint once the joint is correctly installed,
and prior to hydro testing the system, to enable the
joint to move as specified.
warranty
Warranty is void if these instructions are not
followed.