belman@belman.com
FABRIC EXPANSION JOINTS & BELLOWS
Belman’s intensive cooperation with competent and experienced manufacturers of Fabric Expansion Joints enables us to deliver operationally effective and cost effective flexible fabric solutions that offer easy installation, excellent movement absorption and is custom designed for the client’s ducts and pipelines.
Fabric Expansion Joints offer superior flexing capabilities compared to other solutions and can be made from a variety of special woven fabrics coated or laminated with selected elastomers or fluoropolymers. Fabric Expansion Joints are used to insulate, to avoid mechanical loads and to protect against abrasion. They offer advantages for the pipe work designer as they can absorb movements simultaneously in several directions. Furthermore, they have almost no reactive forces and require little space. Fabric Expansion Joints are easy to customise to suit existing operating conditions and are easy to transport and install in piping and ducting systems. In comparison to Metallic Expansion Joints, Fabric Expansion Joints offer almost unlimited flexibility, giving the pipe work designer more options.
Fabric Expansion Joints are installed in systems operating with low pressure and dry media.
Design range within Fabric Expansion Joints
Belman Fabric Expansion Joints can be designed within the following range:
SiZES:
All sizes and shapes
PRESSURE:
Up to +/-20.000 Pa (+/- 2000 mmWg)
Special constructions are
available on request
TEMPERATURE:
Up to 750°C, minimum
temperature -35°C
MATERIALS:
Flexible parts: Glass fabric, Wool material, PTFE, Silicones, Wire mesh amongst others
Connection ends & Hardware: As per client request.
TESTS:
Visual test, dimension check
or as per
client specifications
CERTIFICATES:
On request certificates for steel
parts can be supplied.
FABRIC EXPANSION JOINTS
Belman offers a wide range of Fabric Expansion Joints, available in various sizes, designs, and materials, ensuring a long service life in piping and ducting systems.
GET THE
PRODUCT
BROCHURE
GET THE
CHECK
LIST
INSTALLED
TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION
APPLICATIONS
As Fabric Expansion Joints are customized designs (either closed or as open fabric belt for joining on-site) with bellows designed to solve the movement absorption in the application as well as meet requirements made by the gap in the pipeline.
Fabric Expansion Joints of single-layer design can safely absorb movements caused by thermal movements in pipelines and duct systems. Accordingly, it has the possibility to be designed to accommodate the misalignments on request.
Fabric Expansion Joints are applicable for:
- Chemical industry
- Oil & Gas
- Power Plant
- Pulp & Paper
- Steel plants
- Process industry
- Flue Gas Systems
- Boilers & Stacks
- Many more
MOVEMENTS
Fabric Expansion Joints absorb large movements within short built-in lengths ( due to multi layer construction). Fabric Expansion Joints Absorb movements in multiple directions simultaneously (several planes). The movements that the Fabric Expansion Joints are capable of accepting can be singular or a combination of:
- Axial movement (compression and extension)
- Lateral movement
- Angular rotation
- Torsional rotation
A significant difference between Fabric Expansion Joints and Metallic Expansion Joints or Rubber Expansion Joints is that Fabric Expansion Joint types can readily accept the torsion which is undesirable with Metallic- and Rubber Expansion Joints. Furthermore, in addition to absorbing movements in the system, Fabric Expansion Joints can also absorb vibrations and help to reduce or eliminate noise.
CONNECTION ENDS & HARDWARE
The Belman Fabric Expansion Joint type is delivered as a customised design (either closed or special requirements as open fabric belt for joining on-site) with Bellows designed to solve the movement absorption in the application as well as meet requirements made by the gap in the pipeline. The Belman Fabric Expansion Joints are supplied as standard as a stand-alone Fabric Expansion Joint (with parallel or vertical f ixing flange arrangement) that may be supplied with customised connection ends and including hardware, but not limited to:
- Complete units (flanged or with welding ends)
- With loose flanges
- With clamping bands
- Special transport fixtures
- Flowliners / inner sleeves
- Pre-setting construction
INSTALLATION
Belman always supplies complete Fabric Expansion Joint solutions for quick and simple installation into the duct or pipework. When necessary due to transport or installation considerations we can supply Fabric Expansion Joints in segments for later assembly at the jobsite.
ADVANTAGES
- Reduced heat loss by low surface temperature
- Minimum reaction forces
- Excellent movement absorption and flexibility
- Noise reduction
- High chemical resistance
- Higher flow velocity
- Can accommodate misalignments and a large amount of lateral offset (special design may be required and needs to be specified at inquiry stage)
- Good vibration resistance depending on design and materials
QUALITY & TESTS
Belman is known for high quality Expansion Joints and therefore our quality control is a fundamental part of our business. All processes during production designed by the Belman quality engineers are strictly followed and implemented according to our procedures and instructions and are carefully inspected by Belman quality inspectors. All checks and inspections are done according to the strict prevailing Belman quality control procedures which is part of the Belman ISO 9001 quality management system approved by DNV.
ITP & Test
The Inspection Test Plan generated by the quality management system makes sure that each step of manufacturing has the appropriate inspection points such as Hold and Witness points.
Based on manufacturing code, project specification, application, media, and eventual ship classification rules Belman performs a large variety of quality tests including destructive, non-destructive testing and proof testing.
- Destructive tests, such as life cycle test and burst test to validate the design, i.e., vessels and offshore platforms
- Non-destructive tests, such as visual testing, dye penetrant test, radiography examination, magnetic testing, ultrasonic testing, hardness testing and PMI for all applications
- Proof tests, such as leak test with air, leak test with helium and Formier Gas, hydrostatic pressure test for all application
All tests can be witnessed by the 3rd part based on the customer and classification requirements.
REFERENCES
Andritz • Solvay • AS LTH Baas • Siemens • Alfa Laval •
EPCO ltd. • Standardkessel Baumgarte • Steelcon • PEMI Parts Cooperation
WE HAVE ENGINEERED & DELIVERED
FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS SINCE 1994
Expansion joints are often crucial for ensuring the longevity and efficiency of piping systems, and their versatility makes them suitable for a wide range of expansion joint applications across various industries. At Belman, we have the necessary experience with all types of Expansion Joints, enabling us to find the optimal flexible element for your piping or ducting system – whether it involves Metal Expansion Joints, Rubber Expansion Joints, or Fabric Expansion Joints.