Metal hoses
Metal hoses offer a solution to applications, where vibration, movement or thermal expansion cause tension and fatigue to the pipeline. Metal hoses can counteract misalignment and thermal expansion, as well as minimize the movement caused by vibration and machine operation. The use of metal hoses prevents cracks or leakages forming in the pipeline.
We supply metal hoses both according to standard measurements and according to the customer’s own measurements.
Bellows
Our range of bellows includes two different types: edge welded and formed. Formed bellows are manufactured from a thin-walled cylindrical metal tube, which is formed into corrugations using hydraulic or mechanical pressure. Edge welded bellows, on the other hand, are manufactured from individual metal diaphragms that are welded together.
Regardless of the way of manufacturing, the bellows in our product range are extremely flexible and durable. Bellows are resistant to pressure and temperature, and are vacuum-tight.
Bellows are typically used as:
- Shaft seals of valves
- Vibration absorbers in laser systems
- Volume compensators in transformers
- Actuators in measurement and control applications
- Flexible connection between solar panels
- Sealing or ducting elements in vacuum applications
- Temperature sensors
- Reservoirs to store fluids
- Pressure sensors
Expansion joints
Most metals expand as temperature rises and contract when it decreases. In pipelines this causes variation in the length of individual sections of the pipeline. As pipelines are normally anchored from at least two connection points, any variation in length causes thermal strain in the material and enhanced forces at the connection points. Pipe expansion is as far as possible compensated with the natural flexibility of the pipeline, but should this be insufficient, expansion joints are needed to compensate the movements.
In addition, expansion joints absorb mechanical vibrations of pumps, compressors, turbines and engines, which could otherwise cause damage to the adjoining pipelines, their supports or any other installed instruments.
Central component in expansion joints is the bellow, which thanks to its shape and thin wall acts like a spring. In order for the bellow to be suitable for use as an expansion element, however, it must meet the following criteria:
- The bellow must withstand the pipeline’s operating and testing conditions
- The bellow has to ensure corrosion resistance against both inner and outer conditions of the pipeline
- The bellow needs to be flexible enough to compensate for the thermal expansion and mechanical vibrations with the durability requested from it
- The bellow must include sufficient squirm stability
Our range of expansion joints has the right product to absorb either axial, lateral or angular movements. In addition to standard measures and materials, we also supply expansion joints customized especially to the requirements of your application.