Pipe Expansion Joints

Reduce vibration, noise and wear in your piping system with piping expansion joints
By W. Aiman Mueller Expansion joints for pipe accommodate thermal expansion, shock, installation irregularities and load changes in pipe systems. The benefits of expansion joints for pipes are that they reduce noise and vibration and they lower wear and the likelihood of pipe or component breakage.

Expansion pipe joints typically have a bellows middle. They either have a neck which slides over pipes and takes a hose, or they attach by a flange with bolts or screws. A metal pipe expansion joint is common, but there are elastomer, fabric and various other pipe expansion joints as well.

Most expansion joints are round, but some are square or even rectangular. Besides this, sizing differs between plumbing and other applications. Here are a few tips on sizing:

1. For non-plumbing, round pipe expansion joint applications, refer to the diameter.

2. For square expansion joint applications, refer to the width. Rectangular applications require a hight measurement as well.

3. For plumbing pipe expansion joint applications, don't refer to the diameter. Instead, translate the actual diameter to the standard pipe size.

Buy expansion joint components, even for specialty industrial applications

Pipe expansion joint suppliers sell components designed for a wide range of piping applications, as well as vacuum and gas systems tube systems. A flexible expansion joint pipe connector might not only connect pipes and tubes but also attach to other components, like valves. There is a certain degree of interchangeability between applications, but some expansion joint manufacturers cover certain applications better than others.
Try:  MIPR CORP carries metal and rubber expansion joints designed to handle harsh and specialized applications, including petroleum refining, chemical processing, hot metal industry and many other industrial fields. Flexicraft is another source that carries a wide range of piping expansion joints, including PTFE composition.

Compare prices on pipe expansion joints to get the best deal

There are a lot of expansion joint manufacturers. Once you've found what you are looking for, do some price comparisons.
Try:  Unaflex has a wide range of products, including fabric expansion pipe joints; it's a good place to double check to make sure you're getting the best price. Metraflex is yet another good source, and they display their product specifications clearly.

Get custom expansion joints for pipe, as well as service

Especially for large industrial applications, repairing expansion joints can save a lot of money over replacing them. Industrial situations also sometimes require custom made parts.
Try:  Check several companies, but don't pass over Expansion Joint Systems. Not only to the manufacture custom parts, but they also provide extensive information on expansion joints for piping. Senior Flexonics Pathway will work with your company to manufacture, install and repair custom components. Epoxy Design Systems, Inc. will repair a piping expansion joint as well as other components and equipment.

• Some industrial pipe expansion joints have special attachment methods, like weldable ends or the vanstone flange, which compensates for bolt hole misalignment.