Thermal growth, equipment movement, vibration or pressure pulsation may generate movement in a piping system. When this movement is not absorbed by the piping system itself, an expansion joint is the perfect solution.

An expansion joint is a device primarily formed by flexible bellows used to absorb movements in a piping system while containing pressure and a medium running
through it.

The basic advantages to be gained from using Expansion Joints are:



There are three basic movements that can be absorbed by an Expansion Joints: Axial, Lateral and Angular.

Axial Movement
Axial movement is the change in dimensional length of the bellows from its free length in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis.

Angular Movement
Angular movement is the rotational displacement of the longitudinal axis of the bellows toward a point of rotation.

Lateral movement
Lateral movement is the relative displacement of one end of the bellows to the other end in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal axis.