Metal Expansion Joints (MEJs) and bellows are engineered to absorb and compensate for the thermal and mechanical movements that occur in piping systems. Proper accommodation of these movements is essential to prevent stress buildup, protect piping integrity, and extend equipment lifespan.Types of Movements & Corresponding Expansion Joint Classifications MEJs accommodate three primary types of movement:
Axial
Length changes along the pipe axis due to thermal expansion or contraction, causing the bellows to compress or elongate.
The animations bellow help us illustrates how an expansion joint works in such as system
Axial – 1
Axial – 2
Axial Pressure Balanced
Lateral Deflection
Lateral deflection is the sideways movement of a pipe or duct from its original center line. In simple terms: the pipe shifts sideways, without moving forward or backward along its length. The animations below show how expansion joints can be used to compensate such movement in a system.
Lateral – 1
Lateral – 2
Pressure Balanced – 2
Angular Rotation
Rotational movement displacement of the pipe axis, occurring when pipes change direction or connected equipment moves.
The animation below shows how expansion joints function in such a system
Angular – 1
Angular – 3
Suitable Expansion Joints must be selected based on the type of movement example
Tied/tied Lateral MEJ
MEJ restricts axial movement, allows lateral / angular movement.
Hinged Expansion Joints
Permit angular rotation in a single plane using hinge pins.
Gimbal Expansion Joints
Allow angular rotation in multiple planes for multi-directional flexibility.
Our bellows frequently feature multiple plies, enhancing flexibility and durability while maintaining strength under high pressure. This multi-layer design extends fatigue life and improves movement absorption, making LSI-MECH Make MEJs ideal for demanding industrial environments.
Did You Know?
At LSI-MECH make, we design metal expansion joints and bellows to precisely match your system’s movement requirements and operational conditions:
• Movement type and magnitude (axial, lateral, angular)
• Anchor / guides / support placement and piping layout should be designed for optimum load handling.
• Application specific demands including pressure, temperature and compatibility to flow medium.