Expansion Joints
Pipe expansion joints are used to absorb axial, lateral, or angular movements caused by thermal expansion, vibration, support settlement, or small equipment displacements in steam, water, gas, compressed air, and process fluid systems. This category includes metallic expansion joints such as Comeval TORAFLEX S50/S25 and Macoga series including MWA, MTI, MTE, MRR, MQP, PTFE, MW, MR, MF, pressure balanced MPBI/MPBE, MJA, LENS, Two Ply, and Dog Bone.
Selection is based on calculated thermal movement, pressure rating, operating temperature, service medium, direction of movement, anchoring requirements, pipe guides, bellows fatigue life, and allowable nozzle loads on connected equipment. In steam systems, condensate drainage, water hammer risk, fixed point location, and access for inspection of bellows, limit rods, flanges, and welds should also be checked.
TORAFLEX S50/S25 are metallic flexible elements designed for axial thermal movement absorption, with Omega-type corrugated bellows and an internal sleeve to reduce wear and flow turbulence. Type S25 is supplied with weld ends, while type S50 is supplied with flanged ends; S50 also incorporates limit rods as standard. Referenced sizes are DN20 to DN600, typically in PN10 to PN16 pressure classes, with stainless steel construction and use in HVAC, steam, gases, lubrication lines, compressed air, and process services.
Pressure balanced designs such as MPBI are applied where axial and/or lateral movement must be absorbed while limiting pressure thrust in straight piping runs. For chemically aggressive media, PTFE expansion joints should be considered. Special configurations such as Lens, Two Ply, and Dog Bone are selected according to pressure, temperature, operating cycles, available installation length, and inspection requirements.