Piping and ductwork are always subjected to extreme conditions in the tough environment of industrial processing. Pulp and paper, chemical processing, power generation, and specialized manufacturing are commonly associated with the movement of highly corrosive fluids, steam or aggressive gaseous media and high temperatures. Normal materials are easily destroyed in the presence of such forces.
Metal joints are vulnerable to chemical corrosion and most alternatives made of rubber or elastomerics merely melt or degrade. In the case of application where an expansion joint is needed that is unusually resistant to chemicals as well as flexible rubber expansion joint that shows predictable thermal stability, the selection is reduced drastically: see the fluoropolymer expansion joints. These high-tech elements are a breakthrough in the material science, as they will provide a high performance in the conditions where other solutions can only survive.
Overcoming the Dual Threat: Heat and Corrosion
The necessity of fluoropolymer expansion joints is predetermined by the impossibility to overcome the dual threat of heat and corrosion at the same time. On the other hand, although metal high temperature expansion joint solutions can withstand intense heat, they tend to corrode at a very high rate when subjected to aggressive acids, bases, or solvents, which causes early failure and results in expensive leaks. A solution to this dilemma is the fluoropolymers (the most well-known is PTFE, or polytetrafluoroethylene). They have an inert protective layer due to their molecular structure to virtually any industrial chemical. With thick Teflon laminates (they may be 4 to 30 mils thick) added, their chemical resistance is virtually absolute, and they can be used in both wet and dry applications with some of the most difficult media anywhere in the world.
The Advantage Over Fabric and Metal Alternatives
The fluoropolymer expansion joint has a unique benefit over the usual fabric expansion joints in the non-metallic solution sphere. Although fabric joints are very good in providing large, low pressure expansion joints of flue duct, which manage hot air or gases, their chemical resistance is limited by the elastomeric layers which form the vapor barrier. Provided there is a condensation, which forms corrosive mists of acid (such as sulfuric acid), the layers of the fabric may be damaged. A solid or thick laminate form of fluoropolymer makes an impermeable, porous chemical barrier. Moreover, they are frequently fabricated in a form to meet greater internal pressure requirements than the vast majority of fabric joints, so that they bridge the pressure gap between low pressure ducting systems and high pressure piping systems. It is this versatility that makes the fluoropolymer solution be the key to the reliability of the system.
Engineering for Longevity and Customization
The production of fluoropolymer expansion joints is very specific and requires accuracy to guarantee the durability of the flexible component. The most important factor is the quality of the bellows that defines the movement capacity and the life cycle. Authoritative dealers provide both popular growth lengths and totally personalized growth joints manufacture. Personalization is crucial, and the chemical processing systems often contain special pipe size, certain face-to-face size, and other peculiar movements demands (axial, lateral, and angular). A competent expansion joints manufacturer will partner with engineering parties in choosing the correct number of convolutions, laminate thickness and flange material to ensure that the joint works smoothly during its service life to optimize the investment made and reduce maintenance overhead.
The Role of the Expansion Joints Manufacturer
The choice will require the use of a specialized manufacturer of expansion joints. A manufacturer who has thorough knowledge in fluoropolymer technology realizes that just minor changes in the manufacturing process, including forming temperature, material purity and stress relieving, can significantly affect the fatigue life of the bellows. Quality control is an excessive expense by these companies to make sure the chemical inertness of the material is preserved, and the mechanical properties are maximized to have a flexible material. They also need to be adept at attaching the PTFE bellows to other parts, usually metal flanges (often carbon or stainless steel) attaching the joint to the pre-existing piping. This important interface needs to be sealed and structurally sound to eliminate leakage due to pressure and thermal cycling.
Advanced Flexible Systems Inc.: Leading the Way in Fluoropolymer Excellence
When you have no alternative but to fail or not, you must have a partner whose skills can match your business requirements. Advanced Flexible Systems Inc. is a prominent manufacturer and supplier of expansion joints, well known in developing high-performance solutions to the most demanding environments in the world.
We are experts in fluoropolymer expansion joints that challenge the limits of temperature and chemical resistance. We offer our products with precision-shaped bellows, adjustable PTFE laminate thicknesses to provide the exact performance profile required in your application. You need an expansion joint to handle a high temperature corrosive chemical line, or a specialized system to fit a multi-plane motion of great complexity, our engineering team offers the technical accuracy and quality that is established to guarantee your investment.
