Rubber Expansion Joint
Product Description
Definition:
A rubber expansion joint is a flexible connector fabricated using natural or synthetic elastomers and fabrics. At times, metallic reinforcements are used when necessary to provide stress relief in piping systems due to thermal and mechanical vibration and/or movements. Flexibility and concurrent movements in either single or multiple arch type construction, isolation of vibration and noise resistance to abrasion and chemical erosion are some of the key features.
Functions:
By incorporating rubber expansion joints during the piping system design, engineers are able to remove or significantly reduce any likelihood of problems such as vibration, shock, noise, stresses, corrosion and abrasion.
Reduced Vibration:
Vibration caused by equipment are isolated or significantly reduced with the installation of Rubber expansion joints. The following example is based on true tests conducted by a independent, nationally recognized testing laboratory. The use of reciprocating pumps and compressor generate greater unbalanced forces than centrifugal equipment. By using rubber pipe and expansion joints, any undesirable disturbances including harmonic overtones and vibrations caused by centrifugal pump and fan blade frequency are greatly reduced or removed. Thus, with this illustration, rubber expansion joints reduce transmission of vibration and protect equipment from the adverse effects of vibration.
Dampening of Sound Transmission:
Imbalance in motive equipment generates undesirable noises transmitted to occupied areas due to reasons such as going on stream, normal wear, corrosion, abrasion and erosion. The use of rubber expansion joint dampens likelihood of transmission of such sound because of the steel-rubber expansion joints, compared with their metallic counterparts
Compensate Lateral, Torsional and Angular Movements.
Due to wear and load stresses, equipments such as pumps, compressors, fans and piping equipment tends to move out of alignment. The use of rubber expansion joints compensate for any lateral, torsional and angular movements thus greatly reduces or removes any damage and undue downtime of plant operation.
Compensate Axial Movements
The use of rubber expansion joints in strategic locations will reduce any expansion and contraction movements due to thermal changes or hydraulic surge effects. They act as helix springs, compensating for axial movements.
Advantages
The industry has allied itself with designers, architects, contractors and erectors in designing and fabricating rubber expansion joints under rigid standards to meet present-day operating conditions. By keeping abreast of the technological advances in rubber compounding and synthetic fabrics, the industry allies itself with different rubber expansion joints having advantages not available in other materials.
Minimal Face to face Dimensions
When compared with costly expansion bends or loops, there is minimal face-to-face dimensions in rubber expansion joints. The relative cost of the pipe itself may be less than rubber expansion joints. Taking into account plant space, installation labour, supports and pressure drops, the end total cost could be significantly
higher.
Light-weight
Rubber expansion joints are light thus there is no special equipment required to fit them into position, and this lowers installation and labour costs.
Reduced Fatigue Factor
The inherent characteristics of natural and synthetic elastomers are not subjected to fatigue breakdown or embrittlement. This prevents any electrolytic action because of the steel-rubber interface of joints and flanges.
Reduced Heat Loss
Rubber expansion joints significantly reduce heat loss and also reducing frequency of maintenance.
Corrosion & Erosion Resistant
There is a wide range and variety of natural synthetic and special purpose elastomers and fabrics available. Materials are treated and combined in order to meet a wide range practical pressure-temperature operating conditions and other forms of corrosive attack, abrasion and erosion. There are standard and special sizes of rubber expansion joints which are available with TFE/FEP liners, fabricated to the configurations of the joint body, as added insurance against corrosive attack. Teflon possess unusual and unique characteristics of thermal stability, non-sticking surface, extremely low co-efficient of friction and resistance to most corrosive fluids and forms of chemical attack.
No Gasket required
The use of gasket are unnecessary as the elastomeric expansion joints are supplied with flanges of vulcanized rubber and fabric integrated with the tube. The sealing surfaces of the expansion joint equalize uneven surfaces of the pipe flange to provide a fluid and gas-tight seal.
Excellent Noise & Shock resistance
The elastomeric composition of the elastomeric expansion joints acts as a dampener that absorbs the noise and vibration, thus greatly reduces any noise transmission in piping systems. They also provide good resistance against shock stress from excessive hydraulic surge, water hammer or pump cavitation.
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