Expansion Joints & Bellows

Expansion Joints and Bellows

Designed as per EJMA X & ASME B31.3

Why choose Ocelflex Expansion Joints?

In Pipeline systems, such as the ones in Pharmaceutical, Chemical, Power, Glass, Petrochemicals, Oil and Gas, and Steel Industries, expansion and contraction of metal takes place, with variations in temperature. With this expansion and contraction of metal, there is variations in movement of the individual sections of the pipes. If the movement cannot be absorbed by the piping system, then metal expansion joints are used to compensate the movements that occur. Apart from the thermal movement, other applications such as vibrations and noise in pumps, compensator, turbines, motors and vessels is also compensated by using metal expansion joints. Depending upon the nature of movement that needs to be compensated ( axial, lateral or angular ), expansion joints are designed. Ocelflex’s Metal Expansion Joints are designed to absorb movement, as well as withstand other operating conditions such as temperature, pressure and the inner media. Our design is in accordance with international standards such as E.J.M.A. and A.S.M.E.. Few advantages of Ocelflex' expansion joints :

  • We offer a wide range of Materials : Stainless Steel 316, Stainless Steel 316L Stainless Steel 321, Stainless Steel 304, Stainless Steel 304L, Inconel.
  • Metal Expansion Joints are suitable for temperature ranges from - 270 ℃ to 700 ℃.
  • Depending upon your requirement we manufacture bellows using both Hydroformed and Mechanical forming techniques.
  • Our expansion joint forming techniques are fully equiped with automated manufacturing machines for precision and performance.

Single Axial
Expansion Joint

Single Circular Metal Expansion Bellow welded to end fittings

Single Axial Expansion Joints consists of a single circular metallic bellow welded to end connections. The expansion bellow can absorb all three movements – axial, lateral and angular. Since it is capable of carrying all the three movements, it is necessary that the piping be controlled/guided as to the direction of movements required by the applications.

Inner Diameter

1 1/2 inch to 60 inch.

Length

Upto 500 mm or customised.

Temperature

- 270 ℃ to 700 ℃.

Working Pressure

Full Vacuum to 40 bar.

Bellow Material

Stainless Steel 300 Series
Inconel, Incoloy, Hastelloy

Design Standard

ASME B31.3
EJMA X

Axial

Spring Forces : Medium
Movement : Medium

Lateral

Spring Forces : Medium
Movement : Medium

Angular

Spring Forces : Low
Movement : Low

Additional
Accessories

Limit Rods
Inner Sleeve
Outer Cover
Particulate Barrier

Even though a single circular expansion joint can absorb all the three movements, it is more capable of absorbing movement in the axial directions and less in the lateral or angular directions. This simple circular expansion joint, also known as Single Axial Expansion Joint, is used in applications which require minor movements, such as vibrations or thermal fluctuations, applications such as in pumps and compressors, boilers, engines and pressure vessels. The metal expansion joint cannot resist any deflections with force except the resistance of the metal expansion bellows, which is a function of the spring rate times the deflection amount.

Technical Details

Use the below links to download the datasheets

  • Sheet Code
  • Technical Datasheet
  • Catalogue
  • Installation Instruction

Additional Accessories

Tied, Inner Sleeve, Outer Cover, Fiberglass

Axial Expansion Joint with Limit Rods

Tie Rods are usually in the form of threaded rods, attached to the Metal Expansion Joint Assembly, fitted to metal lugs / ears using nuts, so as to restrict the movement of bellows above the specified range ( axial, lateral, angular ) during normal operation.
In case of some failure, or some unexpected movement, the limit rods also designed to prevent the over extension or over compression of the metal expansion joints. However, in any case, the Tied Rods are not designed to absorb the internal pressure. These are more appropriately known as limit rods, since it limits the movement of an expansion bellow.
Tied Rods are generally threaded and composed of Mild Steel, with nuts on either sides, adjusted to the specifications of the expansion joint, as per the movement required by an application. These expansion joints are also known as Tied Axial Expansion Joint.

  • O300S
  • O3002S

Receive a quote for your requirement of Single Axial Stainless Steel Expansion Joint.

Let our experts help you!
To discuss your hose or expansion joint requirements, complete our convenient form and we’ll get in touch with you at the earliest.

Have an urgent deadline to meet? Choose Express Manufacturing!
With more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing hoses and expansion joints, at Ocelflex, we have sufficient inventory and manufacturing capability to meet your crucial timeline. Just inform us of your need for Express manufacturing when sending us your requirement.

Send us a query or Request a quote


    
    
Loading
Your quote request has been sent successfully. Thank you!

Thank you!

Your query has been submitted successfully!
You will receive a confirmation from us shortly - Don't forget to check your Spam Box.
However, if we do not contact you in 24 hours, we request you email us your query at info@ocelflex.com.


Universal
Expansion Joint

Two single metallic expansion bellows connected by a metal spool piece or centre pipe.

Universal Expansion Joints should not be confused with Double Expansion joints, in which the centre pipe or spool piece is anchored to some rigid part of the installation by means of an anchor base. Instead the spool piece of the lateral metal expansion joints is not anchored, so that it can provide lateral movement when required by the system.

As movement in universal expansion joints can take place in all direction, limit rods are installed to limit the movement of an Universal Expansion Joint in a particular direction. Such universal expansion joints where limit rods are installed are known as Lateral Expansion Joints. Lateral Expansion Joints are designed to absorb large amounts of lateral movement. The length of the entire assembly will determine the amount of lateral deflection a universal or lateral expansion joint can absorb.

Universal Expansion Joints consists of two bellow elements placed longitudinally over each connected through a center spool piece. The angular movement produced by each individual bellow results in lateral movement of the whole Universal Expansion Joint. Universal expansion joints are capable of absorbing significant amount of lateral movement along with considerable amounts of axial and angular movement.

Inner Diameter

1 1/2 inch to 60 inch.

Length

Upto 1400 mm or customised.

Temperature

- 270 ℃ to 700 ℃.

Working Pressure

Full Vacuum to 40 bar.

Material

Stainless Steel 300 Series
Inconel, Incoloy, Hastelloy

Design Standard

ASME B31.3
EJMA X

Axial

Spring Forces : Medium
Movement : Medium

Lateral

Spring Forces : Low
Movement : High

Angular

Spring Forces : High
Movement : Medium

Additional
Accessories

Limit Rods
Inner Sleeve
Outer Cover
Particulate Barrier

Technical Details

Use the below links to download the datasheets

  • Sheet Code
  • Technical Datasheet
  • Catalogue
  • Installation Instruction

Additional Accessories

Tied, Inner Sleeve, Outer Cover, Fiberglass

Universal Expansion Joint with Limit Rods

Tie Rods are usually in the form of threaded rods, attached to the Metal Expansion Joint Assembly, fitted to metal lugs / ears using nuts, so as to restrict the movement of bellows above the specified range ( axial, lateral, angular ) during normal operation.
In case of universal expansion joint, the use of limit rods is recommended to limit the lateral movement from excessive movement and to guide the expansion joint in its desired movement.
Depending upon the application requirement, a single pair of tie rod can be used on either side of the bellows or a single long tie rod can be used for the entire length of the expansion joint assembly. These expansion joints are also known as Tied Universal Expansion Joint or Lateral Expansion Joint.

  • O300S
  • O3002S

Receive a quote for your requirement of Universal Stainless Steel Expansion Joint.

Let our experts help you!
To discuss your hose or expansion joint requirements, complete our convenient form and we’ll get in touch with you at the earliest.

Have an urgent deadline to meet? Choose Express Manufacturing!
With more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing hoses and expansion joints, at Ocelflex, we have sufficient inventory and manufacturing capability to meet your crucial timeline. Just inform us of your need for Express manufacturing when sending us your requirement.

Send us a query or Request a quote


    
    
Loading
Your quote request has been sent successfully. Thank you!

Thank you!

Your query has been submitted successfully!
You will receive a confirmation from us shortly - Don't forget to check your Spam Box.
However, if we do not contact you in 24 hours, we request you email us your query at info@ocelflex.com.


Hinged Angular
Expansion Joint

Single or Double Expansion Bellows controlled by a pair of hinges

Hinged Angular Expansion Joints are used in sets of two or threes, as the arrangement can provide greater lateral and angular deflection. For a pair of hinged expansion joint, placed in unison, separated by a segment of piping, the lateral movement is directly proportional to the distance between their hinge pins and the angular rotation that the expansion joint is capable of.

Hinged metal expansion joints are capable of significant angular movement. The angular movement is provided by use of metal hinges. The hinge mechanism is typically designed to accept full pressure thrust.

Inner Diameter

1 1/2 inch to 60 inch.

Length

Upto 500 mm or customised.

Temperature

- 270 ℃ to 700 ℃.

Working Pressure

Full Vacuum to 15 bar.

Material

Stainless Steel 300 Series
Inconel, Incoloy, Hastelloy

Design Standard

ASME B31.3
EJMA X

Axial

Spring Forces : None
Movement : None

Lateral

Spring Forces : None
Movement : None

Angular

Spring Forces : Low
Movement : Medium

Additional
Accessories

Limit Rods
Inner Sleeve
Outer Cover
Particulate Barrier

Technical Details

Use the below links to download the datasheets

  • Sheet Code
  • Technical Datasheet
  • Catalogue
  • Installation Instruction

Additional Accessories

Tied, Inner Sleeve, Outer Cover, Fiberglass

Hinged Angular Expansion Joints with Slotted Hinge

The direction of movement in general Hinged Angular Expansion Joints is guided with the help of fully restrained hinges. The use of slotted hinges will allow some extent of axial movement in the pipe system as well. However slotted hinges are not designed to resist the pressure thrust forces. In applications where slotted hinges are used anchoring must be provided.

  • O300S
  • O3002S

Receive a quote for your requirement of Hinged Stainless Steel Expansion Joint.

Let our experts help you!
To discuss your hose or expansion joint requirements, complete our convenient form and we’ll get in touch with you at the earliest.

Have an urgent deadline to meet? Choose Express Manufacturing!
With more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing hoses and expansion joints, at Ocelflex, we have sufficient inventory and manufacturing capability to meet your crucial timeline. Just inform us of your need for Express manufacturing when sending us your requirement.

Send us a query or Request a quote


    
    
Loading
Your quote request has been sent successfully. Thank you!

Thank you!

Your query has been submitted successfully!
You will receive a confirmation from us shortly - Don't forget to check your Spam Box.
However, if we do not contact you in 24 hours, we request you email us your query at info@ocelflex.com.


Gimbal Angular
Expansion Joint

Single or Double Expansion Bellows controlled by two pairs of hinges

Angular Joints like Gimbal and Hinged Expansion Joints can accomodate very large movements with very low reaction forces, only using sufficient intermediate guides, without the need for complex fixed points and structures. This provides an economical advantage for pipe systems where large movements in multiple planes are needed.

A Gimbal Angular Expansion Joint is more flexible than a Hinged Angular Expansion Joint as it is capable of movement in multiple angular rotation planes. It contains two sets of hinges, the axis of each set perpendicular to the other, allowing angular deflection in multiple planes. Gimbal Joints are used in sets of two or threes, as the arrangement can provide greater lateral and angular deflection. For few applications Gimbal Expansion Joints are also combined with Hinged Expansion Joints for a more economical solution.

Inner Diameter

1 1/2 inch to 60 inch.

Length

Upto 500 mm or customised.

Temperature

- 270 ℃ to 700 ℃.

Working Pressure

Full Vacuum to 15 bar.

Material

Stainless Steel 300 Series
Inconel, Incoloy, Hastelloy

Design Standard

ASME B31.3
EJMA X

Axial

Spring Forces : None
Movement : None

Lateral

Spring Forces : None
Movement : None

Angular

Spring Forces : Low
Movement : Medium

Additional
Accessories

Limit Rods
Inner Sleeve
Outer Cover
Particulate Barrier

Technical Details

Use the below links to download the datasheets

  • Sheet Code
  • Technical Datasheet
  • Catalogue
  • Installation Instruction

Receive a quote for your requirement of Gimbal Stainless Steel Expansion Joint.

Let our experts help you!
To discuss your hose or expansion joint requirements, complete our convenient form and we’ll get in touch with you at the earliest.

Have an urgent deadline to meet? Choose Express Manufacturing!
With more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing hoses and expansion joints, at Ocelflex, we have sufficient inventory and manufacturing capability to meet your crucial timeline. Just inform us of your need for Express manufacturing when sending us your requirement.

Send us a query or Request a quote


    
    
Loading
Your quote request has been sent successfully. Thank you!

Thank you!

Your query has been submitted successfully!
You will receive a confirmation from us shortly - Don't forget to check your Spam Box.
However, if we do not contact you in 24 hours, we request you email us your query at info@ocelflex.com.


Rectangular
Expansion Joint

Rectangular Expansion Bellow welded to customised end fittings

Where large lateral movements are needed, a universal rectangular expansion joint can be designed, similar to universal circular expansion joints. The centre piece of the Universal Rectangular Expansion joint should not be anchored when installed in the piping systems.

Rectangular Expansion Joints, like circular expansion joints can absorb all three movements - axial, lateral and angular. As these are installed in pipe systems with rectangular ducts having no particular design standard, Rectangular Expansion Joints are customised for specific applications to provide the most economic design. Rectangular expansion Joints are manufactured without any size limit.

Width & Length

Can be customised
to any size

Length

Upto 2000 mm or customised.

Temperature

- 270 ℃ to 700 ℃.

Working Pressure

Full Vacuum to 5 bar.

Material

Stainless Steel 300 Series
Inconel, Incoloy, Hastelloy

Design Standard

ASME B31.3
EJMA X
Customised

Axial

Spring Forces : Low
Movement : High

Lateral

Spring Forces : Low
Movement : Medium

Angular

Spring Forces : Low
Movement : High

Additional
Accessories

Limit Rods
Inner Sleeve
Outer Cover
Particulate Barrier

Technical Details

Use the below links to download the datasheets

  • Sheet Code
  • Technical Datasheet
  • Catalogue
  • Installation Instruction

Additional Accessories

Tied, Inner Sleeve, Outer Cover, Fiberglass

Rectangular Expansion Joint with U and V convolution profile

At Ocelflex, we manufacture rectangular expansion joints for both convolution profiles accepted internationally - U convolution profile and V convolution profile. We can fabricate the convolution for single as well as double mitre corners based on requirement.

  • O300S
  • O3002S

Universal Rectangular Expansion Joint

Tie Rods are usually in the form of threaded rods, attached to the Metal Expansion Joint Assembly, fitted to metal lugs / ears using nuts, so as to restrict the movement of bellows above the specified range ( Rectangular, lateral, angular ) during normal operation.
In case of some failure, or some unexpected movement, the limit rods also designed to prevent the over extension or over compression of the metal expansion joints. However, in any case, the Tied Rods are not designed to absorb the internal pressure. These are more appropriately known as limit rods, since it limits the movement of an expansion bellow.
Tied Rods are generally threaded and composed of Mild Steel, with nuts on either sides, adjusted to the specifications of the expansion joint, as per the movement required by an application. These expansion joints are also known as Tied Rectangular Expansion Joint.

  • O300S
  • O3002S

Receive a quote for your requirement of Rectangular Metal Expansion Joint.

Let our experts help you!
To discuss your hose or expansion joint requirements, complete our convenient form and we’ll get in touch with you at the earliest.

Have an urgent deadline to meet? Choose Express Manufacturing!
With more than 35 years of experience in manufacturing hoses and expansion joints, at Ocelflex, we have sufficient inventory and manufacturing capability to meet your crucial timeline. Just inform us of your need for Express manufacturing when sending us your requirement.

Send us a query or Request a quote


    
    
Loading
Your quote request has been sent successfully. Thank you!

Thank you!

Your query has been submitted successfully!
You will receive a confirmation from us shortly - Don't forget to check your Spam Box.
However, if we do not contact you in 24 hours, we request you email us your query at info@ocelflex.com.

Additional Accessories

Inner Sleeve, Outer Cover, Fiberglass

Expansion Joint with Inner Sleeve

Optional Stainless Steel Covers or Inner Sleeve ( Inner Liners ) are available on request. It is recommended to use inner sleeve in applications where there are high frequency vibrations caused by the inner media flow or where the inner media is corrosive enough to damage the inner thin wall of the metal expansion bellow. Additionally it minimizes the pressure drop throughout the expansion joint. For expansion Joints with inner sleeves, it is necessary to consider the movement restriction when designing the expansion joint.

  • O300S
  • O3002S

Expansion Joint with Outer Cover

Expansion joints are made of relatively thin walled sheet metal. As the bellows element is thin, an outer cover should be used to protect it from damage during plant construction and maintenance activities. An outer cover protects the bellow element from weld splatter, falling tools and parts, damage from closeby accidents. For expansion Joints with outer cover, it is necessary to consider the movement restriction when designing the expansion joint.

  • O300S
  • O3002S

Expansion Joint with Particulate Barrier

In applications where the inner media has significant particulate content which can interfere in the bellow element due to its accumulations in the convolution resulting in corrosion or restriction in its movement, a protective barrier is used. The particulate barrier can be of fiber glass or ceramic fiber, suitable for high temperature applications, installed without compromising on the bellow functionality.

  • O300S
  • O3002S

Expansion Joint End Fittings

At Ocelflex, we manufacture hose fittings as per International standards and custom requirements. As most of the flexible hose assemblies are manufactured inhouse, we are able to maintain strict inspections related to the quality of the hose fittings. From raw material to release of consignment, all information is recorded to quality purposes.


The end connections or fittings of the flexible hoses can be made up of Stainless Steel, Mild Steel, Brass and other materials as required by the application. Depending upon the material, the hose fittings can be welded to Stainless Steel Flexible Metal Hoses.
Read below a list of the flexible hose assemblies which are more frequently used, click on any to get more information about the design standard, material and sizes manufactured.

  • All Fittings
  • Fixed Flange
  • Swivel Flange
  • Pipe End

Flange


Fixed Flange

Material
Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Brass

Standard
ANSI B16.5 CLASS 150, 300, 600
BS : Table E, Table F, Table H
JIS : JIS 5K, JIS 10K, JIS 20K
PN : PN 16, PN 10, PN 20
Learn More

Flange


Pipe End or Weld End

Material
Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Brass

Standard
NPS or Customised
Sch. 10, Sch. 20, Sch. 40, Sch. 80
Learn More

Flange


Vanstone or Swivel Flange

Material
Stainless Steel, Carbon Steel, Brass

Standard
ANSI B16.5 CLASS 150, 300, 600
BS : Table E, Table F, Table H
JIS : JIS 5K, JIS 10K, JIS 20K
PN : PN 16, PN 10, PN 20
Learn More