MEGAFLEXON

Summary

MEGAFLEXON rubber expansion joints have been specified and used for many years by consulting engineers, mechanical contractors, pressure vessel designers, plant engineers and turn-key construction firms.
They are installed to accommodate movement in piping runs, protect piping from expansion and contraction and insure efficient and economical on-stream operations. Rubber expansion joints are specifically engineered and designed section of pipe that is flanged and is able to be inserted within a rigid piping system with the goal to be the achievement of one or more of the following.

Rubber expansion joints, designed by engineers and fabricated by skilled craftsmen, are used in all systems conveying fluids under pressure and or vacuum at various temperatu res, and advantages are as follows :

Features

To absorb movement
To relieve system strain due to thermal change, load stress, pumping surges etc.
To reduce mechanical noise and vibration
To compensate for misalignment
To eliminate electrolysis between dissimilar metals

Definition: A rubber expansion joint is a flexible connector fabricated of natural or synthetic elastomers and fabrics and, if necessary, metallic reinforcements to provide stress relief in piping systems due to thermal and mechanical vibration and/or movements. Noteworthy performance features include flexibility and concurrent movements in either single or multiple arch type construction, isolation of vibration and noise resistance to abrasion and chemical erosion.

Functions: Engineers can solve anticipated problems of vibration, noise, shock, corrosion, abrasion, stresses and space by incorporating rubber expansion joints into designed piping system.

Reduce Vibration: Rubber expansion joints isolate or reduce vibration caused by equipment. Some equipment requires more vibration control than others. Reciprocating pumps and compressors, for example, generate greater unbalanced forces than centrifugal equipment. However, rubber pipe and expansion joints dampen undesirable disturbances including harmonic over tones and vibrations caused by centrifugal pump and fan blade frequency. This is based on actual tests conducted by a nationally recognized independent testing laboratory. Rubber expansion joints reduce transmission of vibration and protect equipment from the adverse effects of vibration.

Dampen Sound Transmission

Rubber expansion joints tend to dampen transmission of sound because of the steel-rubber interface of joints and mating flanges. Thick-wall rubber expansion joints, compared with their metallic counter parts, reduce considerably the transmission of sound.

Compensate lateral, torsional and angular movements subsequent to going on stream, normal wear, corrosion, abrasion and erosion eventually bring about imbalance in motive equipment, generating undesirable noises transmitted to occupied areas.

Compensate Axial Movements: Expansion and contraction movements due to thermal changes or hydraulic surge effects are compensated for with strategically located rubber expansion joints. They act as helix springs, compensating for axial movements.

Advantages

Minimal Face-to-Face Dimensions
Lightweight
Low Movement Forces Required
Reduced Fatigue Factor
Reduced Heat Loss
Corrosion, Erosion Resistant
Greater Shock Resistance