What is an expansion Bellows and what are expansion joints used for?

Many of the expansions joints we produce are primarily designed to allow for movements in pipe work systems due to thermal changes – temperature and pressure. This relieves stresses, protects machinery attached to the pipe work, and therefore lengthen the life of the whole system.

The ability to flex laterally and axially also allows our expansion joints to:

• Reduce noise transmission
• Isolate Vibration
• Compensate for pipe work misalignment
• Allow for mounting settlement
• Balance pressure loads

A Rubber Bellow is a type of expansion bellow that is manufactured with a flexible elastomeric material – often used in applications where there will be movement, such as in industrial pipework.

Expansions Joints are often described as Road or Deck Joints, and are fitted on road decks, parking structures, or other building projects to provide waterproofing in ceilings and floors, but also to allow for the thermal expansion and contraction of the concrete or tarmac surfaces. They are generally EPDM, and often linked with water proofing membranes. Where a solid rubber joint is not feasible you will often see a pourable rubber being used to fill the gap between road decks. This works in the same way as the solid rubber joints, but can be used for smaller or hard to reach gaps.