Metal vs. Rubber Expansion Joints: What Is the Difference?
Expansion joints, also referred to as bellows, play an integral part in piping systems. They absorb excessive vibrations and correct misalignment to keep exhaust systems working correctly. There are two different types of expansion joints: metal and rubber. Determining which type of expansion joint will work best in your company’s system depends on a few factors.
When you’re deciding between metal vs. rubber expansion joints, you’ll need to know: What is the difference? Here are the advantages and disadvantages of both types.
Rubber Expansion Joints
Rubber expansion joints consist of a flexible connector that can consist of fabric and, sometimes, internal metallic reinforcements. Here are the main advantages of rubber bellows:
More mobility: Typically, rubber expansion joints offer more lateral movements than metal.
Superior noise dampening abilities: Rubber joints are more effective at reducing noise from vibrations in piping systems.
Easy installation: Additional gaskets aren’t needed to install rubber joints, making the joints easier to install and maintain over time.
Metal Expansion Joints
Metal expansion joints are used in applications much more frequently than rubber expansion joints. When you’re exploring metal vs. rubber expansion joints, what is the difference in using either in applications? Rubber joints may offer more mobility and less maintenance, but metal expansion joints are necessities in most systems. Constructed from a thin-gauge material that will absorb mechanical and thermal movements, they can handle extreme temperatures and pressures that rubber joints cannot.
Here are the advantages of metal expansion joints:
Ability to withstand extreme temperatures: Metal bellows can withstand a greater range of temperatures than rubber can. They can handle a range of -420 degrees Fahrenheit to 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. Rubber joints can only accommodate up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If your project requires extreme temperatures, then you’ll need metal expansion joints.
Ability to withstand pressure: Another critical factor of stainless steel bellows is their ability to withstand significant stress. Since they’re made from stainless steel, they can deal with far more force than rubber joints can. A rubber joint can withstand up to 250 psi, whereas a metal joint can withstand pressures up to 1,000 psi.
Deciding between metal and rubber bellows isn’t so much about which is better but which expansion joint provides the most support to a particular application.
