Metal Bellows Expansion Joints
UIP International, Inc. is a leading supplier of Metal Bellows Expansion Joints.
When selecting UIP International metal bellows expansion joints, you can be rest assured that these joints were designed to last. We offer a large variety of metal expansion joints that offer solutions for multiple applications and industries. Constructed from precision manufactured bellows and coupled with customer specified connections, our metal bellows expansion joints are available in a wide array of configurations to meet your needs. They are made from high quality steel components, commonly formed from 321 stainless steel. Other grades of stainless steel as well as rare alloys may be requested dependent upon your application.
Steel Options include:
- 321 Stainless Steel
- T304/304L Stainless Steel
- T316/316L Stainless Steel
- Inconnel 600/326/800/825
- Hastelloy C22/C276
Benefits of Metal Expansion Joints
- Vibration Isolation: unnecessary vibration in piping systems can cause severe damage to the system and surrounding equipment.
- Wide Temperature & Pressure Rages: metal expansion joints can handle a wide range of hot and low temperatures, conveying liquids, solids and abrasive materials. They also offer high pressure ratings.
- Low Maintenance: Metallic expansion joints require very little maintenance when constructed of durable, corrosion-resistant materials and offer a long life cycle.
We Manufacture All Types of Metal Expansion Joints
Single Bellows Weld Ends
Weld end metal bellow expansion joints have sections of pipe attached to each end of the bellows intended for welded installation. This style’s design has a flangeless installation and greater sealing properties.
Single Bellows Fixed Flanges
Fixed flange bellows are constructed with raised face or plate flanges welded to the end of the bellows. Fixed flange ends require knowledge of bolt hole alignment for each end it will be installed. This style is best suited for Class-D applications.
Single Bellows Raised Face Flanges
Raised face flange bellows are provided with Class 150 drilling or Class 300 drilling carbon steel raised face slip-on flanges. This style has a concentrated sealing area and provides an increased pressure capacity.
Single Bellows Floating Flanges
Floating flange (Van Stone) metal bellows are provided with raised face or plate flanges with your required drilling pattern and are fully rotatable on each end of the joint. The necks of the bellows are flared to retain the flanges. Floating flange configurations allow for carbon steel flanges with all wetted components stainless steel or other alloy. Floating flanges also allow for bolt hole alignment in the field.
Combination of Flange Types
Metal expansion joints are often constructed with a combination of the flange types. Regardless of your needs, our craftsman can assemble the joint to your specifications. Combination of flange types allows for multiple installation types and increased compatibility.
Universal Tied Dual Bellows
Universal tied bellows are capable of absorbing larger lateral movements than standard single joints and offer increased flexible surface. Available with optional liners or covers.
Externally Pressurized Bellows
Externally pressurized bellows feature an anti-squirm design and can handle large axial movements. This is an exceptional product for absorbing large amounts of axial movement in long, straight pipe runs. One of the safest and most reliable joints, the unique design features make this an appealing option for steam and condensate applications.
Hinged Bellows
A hinged expansion joint is designed to permit angular rotation in only one plane by using a pair of pins through hinge plates attached to each end of the expansion joint. Hinge hardware and pins are designed to restrain pressure thrust of the bellows and any extraneous forces where applicable. Hinged expansion joints must be used in sets of 2 or 3 to function properly and they do not need to be co-linear.
Gimbal Pipe Bellows
A gimbal expansion joint is designed to permit angular rotation in any plane by using two pairs of hinges attached to a common floating gimbal ring/box. Gimbal ring/box, hinge arms and pins are designed to restrain pressure thrust of the bellows and any extraneous forces where applicable. Typical gimbal systems consist of 2 gimbal expansion joints or 2 gimbal and 1 hinge expansion joints. Just as hinged expansion joints offer great advantages in single plane applications, gimbal expansion joints are designed to offer similar advantages in multi-plane systems. Since gimbal expansion joints are not restricted to single plane systems, they have greater flexibility of usage.
Pump Connectors
Flexible Metal Pump Connectors are designed with a flexible core of corrugated tin bronze or type 321 stainless steel tubing under the braid. Flat-face flanges are standard; however, other types are available. A wire braid is used over the flexible core on most designs to provide strength for the rated operating pressure.
Elbow Pressure Balance Units
Engine Exhaust
Metal Bellows Type Expansion Joints and Pump Connectors are for use in pipelines and process vessels to absorb motion in the system. Our products incorporate the latest recommendations of the Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association.
- Absorbs damaging vibrations in piping systems
- Absorbs mechanical movements
- Space-saving options
- Low maintenance requirements
- Multiple variations and configurations
- Corrosion-resistant
- Abrasion-resistant
Engineering Capabilities
UIP utilizes various engineering software programs to provide expansion joints in accordance with customer requirements for the utmost reliability. Some of these programs are industry-leading programs such as Finite Element Analysis (FEA) CAD/CAM and Expansion Joint Manufacturers Association (EJMA). Our products are fully engineered to industry accepted standards.
Industry Codes
UIP Expansion Joints are manufactured in accordance with EJMA’s latest edition. Other industry standards that UIP Manufacturing can conform to, but are not limited to, include:
• ASME B31.3
• ASME B31.1
• MIL-I-45208
• MIL-Q-9858
• U.S. Coast Guard requirements
Bellows Material Specification
UIP standard bellows material is A/SA240 321ss. Other materials available to UIP to
manufacture bellows include:
• A/SA240 304SS
• A/SA240 304LSS
• A/SA240 316SS
• A/SA240 316LSS
• A/SA240 310 S
• B/SB444 Alloy 625 (Inconel® 625)
• B/SB168 Alloy 600 (Inconel® 600)
• B/SB575 Alloy C276 (Hastelloy® C276)
• B/SB575 Alloy C22 (Hastelloy® C22)
• B/SB127 Alloy 400 (Monel® (400)
• B/SB409 Alloy 800
• Duplex Alloy 2205
• Hastelloy® X
• Nickel 200
• Alloy 20
• AL6XN
UIP welders are qualified in accordance with ASME Section IX latest edition (procedures available for review upon request). We stock various types of bellows materials, flanges, plates, pipe and threaded rods for fast response and delivery times.
2021