The lifetime of a non-metallic expansion joint skin is affected by a variety of factors, including but not limited to:
Material selection: The choice of skin material is crucial to longevity. Commonly used skin materials are silicone rubber, fluororubber, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), glass fiber and ceramic fiber, etc. Among them, fluororubber and silicone rubber skins usually have a long service life due to their excellent temperature resistance, chemical stability and mechanical properties.
Work environment: The operating temperature, pressure, medium properties (e.g. corrosiveness, abrasiveness), vibration frequency and amplitude of non-metallic expansion joints all affect the life of the skin. For example, in environments with high temperatures, high corrosiveness, or frequent vibration, the life of the skin may be shortened.
Design and Structure: The design of the expansion joint, including the number of layers of the skin, the thickness, the use of reinforcing materials (such as wire mesh), and the design of the seal, can significantly affect its service life.
Installation and Operation: Correct installation method and reasonable operating procedure can prolong the service life of skin. For example, avoid over-stretching, twisting, or compressing the skin, and avoid running under conditions beyond the design parameters.
Maintenance and maintenance: Regular inspections and necessary maintenance can detect and fix potential problems in time and extend the service life of the skin.
Based on industry experience, the average service life of non-metallic expansion joint skins can range from several years to decades, depending on the factors mentioned above. For example:
In coal-fired power plants, the service life of non-metallic expansion joints is usually more than 5 years, and some can even reach 8 to 9 years.
In oil-fired power plants, the skin life of the expansion joint is approximately 3 to 4 years when using light oil or diesel; But if heavy or crude oil is burned, it may only be 1 to 2 years, as more frequent cleaning is required, which increases the damage to the skin.
In order to extend the service life of non-metallic expansion joint skin, appropriate materials should be selected, reasonable construction should be designed, correct installation should be carried out, and an effective maintenance plan should be implemented. If the skin appears damaged, such as cracks, perforations, or delamination, it should be replaced promptly to prevent further system failure.