Things to Consider When Ordering Bespoke Pipe Expansion Joints
Having a bespoke pipe expansion joint created will require a set of demands to suit the application/facility they will be used for. This information will be important to get correct – as many small factors would mean a different type of fitting. Each industry will deal with completely different fluids, sizes, and construction specifications. To get these specifics correct, you should consider the following factors with your pipe expansion joints.
What size pipe expansion joint do I need?
Obviously, the size is something you will need to get correct, or you won’t be able to get the expansion joint onto the pipeline. You will need to check what their live and ID lengths are. The live length of a pipe expansion joint is the part of it which can readily move. This portion will have convolutions which mark its length.
The ID length is the ‘inner diameter’ length. This is also important as it created the right connections between the expansion joint and the pipeline. Making sure you have these measurements exact means your system will be cohesive, without weak points from errors in sizing.
Consider the cycle life…
If your pipe expansion joint fit, you will no doubt also want them to last. In technical terms, you engineer will need to build an expansion joint which has what they call a ‘high cycle life’. This ‘high cycle life’ will mean that your bellow can withstand a pretty high number of total displacements without coming to a stop. They will have to consider the materials, welding methods, and also the ply number amongst other factors to adjust the expansion joints expected cycle lives.
What temperature rating will my expansion joint need?
You will need to consider the substances that your pipes are transporting, and if this is something with significant heat or extremely cold, you will have to keep the temperature threshold in mind.
If you exceed a pipe expansion joints maximum temperature resistance, then you may be greeted with a very costly structural fail. So, this is not something you would want to overlook in the slightest.
What is the axial compression or expansion and lateral offset?
The axial compression or expansion and lateral offset are a set of metrics which explain the pipe expansion joints flexibility to engineers and interrelate to the spring rate too. The higher a unit’s compression level and expansion length, the more flexible it is along the axis. In contrast, the lateral offset is the difference expansion joints displace on one side whilst they remain parallel to the original plane.
What chemicals will it be carrying?
Like temperature, you should also consider the liquid the pipe is carrying. The expansion joint must also be resistant to this chemical.
