Kenya Coconut Production Presentation by Dr. Lalith Perera
Ethylene Expansion Joints
1. Ethylene Flexijoint PTFE expansion joints are flexible connectors and tremor barriers designed
to compensate for misalignment, absorb expansion and contraction, and isolate vibration and
shock in process piping, tanks and pumps. They also offer a low spring rate to protect stress
sensitive FRP, glass or graphite equipment.
Flexijoint has almost universal chemical inertness, high and
low temperature resistance, invulnerability to ozone and
sunlight, outstanding flex life, and low acoustical impedance
(sound dampening properties).
• Available in sizes ½” to 42”
3. Flexijoint Distinctive Features.
Flexijoints VIRGIN PTFE RESIN
PURE 100% have a low spring rate which protects stress sensitive FRP,
glass or graphite installations.
Exclusive Fluoroforming process utilizes only high molecular weight resin.
PTFE bellows has nearly universal chemical inertness.
Zero pigments or additives – fillers contaminate contacting fluids by
High & low temperature resistance.
leaching out and are vulnerable to blistering.
Uv Stabalized.
Ethylene’s Fluoroform process results in lower permeation rates,
increased flexlife & maximum tensile strength.
Outstanding flex life.
4. Flexijoint Distinctive Features.
UNIFORM WALL THICKNESS
Fluoroforming insures multiple convolution walls of uniform thickness.
Consistent wall and geometry is key in Flexijoints performance.
Deep convolutions allow for increased axial travel and reduces the force
necessary to produce movement or lateral misalignment.
5. Flexijoint Distinctive Features.
T-BAND ROOT & SIDEWALL SUPPORT
T-Band reinforcement on the outside of the
convolutions provide support at the root and
sidewall.
This promotes improved service life and increased
safety in high pressure applications.
As pressure & temperature increase, the sidewall
of the PTFE convolutions conform to the T-Bands,
which provides improved stability.
6. Flexijoint Distinctive Features.
T-BAND PROTECTION FROM OVER COMPRESSION
T-Bands not only contribute to the pressure
rating of the expansion joint, they limit the total
Axial movement in compression.
T-Bands butt when maximum compression limit
has been reached. This gives protection against
excessive compression.
7. Flexijoint Distinctive Features.
LIMITLINK FEATURES
LimitLinks are Stainless Steel cables that
conform to MIL-C5424, specification for
Aircraft Cable.
Stainless Steel ball-shaped terminals are
swaged to the ends of the cables.
LimitLink ends are anchored in the
Flexijoint Flanges to prevent over
expansion.
Terminals are free to swivel as flanges
change position for adjustment to all
misalignments.
8. Flexijoint Distinctive Features.
LIMITLINKS & T-BAND BENEFITS
LimitLinks provide easy installation even when
mating flange bolts do not align.
LimitLinks NEVER need to removed for installation.
T-Bands cover approximately 75% of the outside of
the convolutions, providing protection from external
damage.
10. LIMITLINK & DURCOR-62
LimitLink is Ethylene’s Standard.
Durcor-62 Flange option.
Advanced Composite Resin, the
strength of steel & half the weight.
Zero corrosion.
11. LIMITBOLT
LimitBolt design offers resistance to
rotational forces.
Limits lateral misalignment.
Flexijoint LimitBolt design does not require
removal of limitbolts during installation.
12. ANTISQUIRM
Each T-Band incorporates 3 radial spokes
which rest on the limitbolts, thereby
restraining the T-Bands that hold the
convolutions in balanced geometrical
position.
This feature eliminates squirming and
buckling effects and dramatically increases
operating pressure capabilities in multi-
convoluted Flexijoints.
13. FLEXARMOR
PTFE Liner.
Metal Expansion Joint outer.
Provides dual containment feature.
Metal Outer Expansion Joint produces
higher pressure ratings than standard
PTFE Flexijoints.
14. HINGED
Hinged style expansion joints contain pivots
which allow the unit to only bend in a single
plane.
The hinged mechanisms absorb pressure,
thrust and other external loads, such as the
weight of adjacent piping, reducing the need
for additional supports and anchors.
15. UNIVERSAL
Universal Flexijoints consist of 2 bellows separated by a PTFE lined spool
piece.
Universal Expansion Joints accept large amounts of lateral deflection and
substantially reduce the spring rate required to cause movement.
16. GIMBALLED
Gimballed units are basically the same as
Hinged units except that instead of being
limited to deflection in only a single plane, it
can accept bending in any plane.
It contains 2 sets of hinges connected to a
central floating Gimbal ring.
Gimballed joints are used in complex piping
systems when proper guiding and anchoring
may not be feasible.
17. ANCHORBASE
AnchorBase units have a anchor built
around a LimitBolt Flexijoint.
It is able to be bolted to flooring, footing
or other structure of suitable mass.
Distance from Flexijoint centerline to base
bottom conforms to ANSI B16.5 for 150#
base fittings.
18. FLEXIJOINT OPTIONS
Liner Sleeves - Recommended when the
media contains solids, material that may
settle in the convolutions, the velocity is
high or the media is steam.
VacuBands - The vacuum rating of all
PTFE expansion joints decreases with
increasing temperature, diameter and # of
convolutions. VacuBands enable Flexijoints
through 42” diameter to be rated for full
vacuum at 450 degrees F.
19. FLEXIJOINT OPTIONS - CONTINUED
Safety Shields - Used in hazardous service
applications to protect against serious personal injury
in the unlikely event of a failure. Safety shields help
to contain media in a confined space should a failure
occur.
Special Alloy Flanges.
Monel LimitLinks.
20. COMPETITIVE PRODUCT
PTFE Molding”“ is an joints over–12”tube is heated above the transition
All PTFE expansion Molded” a in diameter are made Jugs and the
“Blow Bellows Blowexcellent low cost technique for Milk outside of Soda
USA. Ethylene is the sole between Manufacturer of liability.
Bottles where yielding of the plastic is not a potentialPTFE Expansion
temperature and is placedDomestic two halves of a mold and is forced to
Joints the shape of the mold by air pressure. Wall thickness distribution is
acceptup to 42” diameter.
Paste Extrusion Tubing - in this process hydrocarbon additives (Isopar)
severely impacted and is inconsistent from root to wall to crest. This
must be added to the PTFE as a lubricant in order to facilitate the
compromises the materials mechanical integrity and can cause sudden
extrusion process. These solvents are hazardous and contaminate
premature failure.
contacting fluids by leaching out and could be vulnerable to blistering.
Flexijoint Competition
21. COMMON APPLICATIONS
Piping - All piping used in the transfer of fluid expands and
contracts a known amount per degree of temperature change.
Flexijoints allow for the expansion, contraction and lateral offset
of the piping system.
Pumps - Flexijoints are excellent vibration control units for
pumps. They absorb vibration that is generally transferred to
adjacent piping thereby eliminating piping leaks and extending
pump bearing and seal life.
Weigh Cells - Low spring rate improves scale accuracy.