Compensation joints (Compensation joints or Expansion joints) come in a variety of forms and are classified mainly according to their design, function, and field of application. Here are some common forms of expansion joints:
Metal corrugated expansion joint
Axial type(Axial Type): Absorbs Axial displacement.
Transverse type(Lateral Type): Absorbs Lateral displacement.
Angular type(Angular Type): Absorbs Angular displacement.
Pressure balanced(Pressure Balanced Type): Designed to balance the Pressure thrust inside the pipe.Universal type(Universal Type): Capable of absorbing a combination of axial and lateral displacements.
Large tie rod transverse corrugated expansion joint(Large Rod Lateral Bellows Expansion Joint): Used to absorb lateral displacement on any plane.
hinge type(Hinged Type): Absorbs angular displacement in a single plane.
Universal hinge type(Gimbal Type): Absorbs angular displacement in any plane.
Non-metallic expansion joint
Made of silicone, fluororubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), glass fiber, ceramic fiber and other materials, it is suitable for high temperature, corrosive or low pressure environments.
It can be divided into circular and rectangular structures.
Sleeve expansion joint(Sleeve Expansion Joint or Slide Joint)
The axial displacement is absorbed by relative sliding of the inner and outer sleeves.
spherical expansion joint(Spherical Expansion Joint)
Features ball joints that allow three-dimensional displacement compensation.
Ring plate welded expansion joint(Welded Ring Expansion Joint)
It is mainly used in atmospheric pressure or low pressure environment.
Clamp-type expansion joint(Clamp-on Expansion Joint)
Fixed to pipe by clamp, suitable for applications where welding is not required.
Single hinge expansion joint(Single Hinged Expansion Joint)
Includes structural members such as pins, hinge plates and vertical plates, which are used to absorb angular displacement in the plane.
Unidirectional hinge type expansion joint(Single Gimbal Expansion Joint)
It is composed of bellows, pin shaft, hinge plate, universal ring and vertical plate, and can absorb angular displacement in any plane.
Each form of expansion joint has its own unique advantages and applicable scenarios, and the specific working conditions of the pipeline system should be considered when selecting, including factors such as temperature, pressure, medium properties, displacement type and direction. In practical applications, it may be necessary to use a combination of multiple types of expansion joints to achieve the best compensation effect.