The flexible elements that form the core of their operation are made of non-metallic materials, typically fiber fabrics; hence they are also referred to as fabric compensators (expansion joints or bellows). Alternatively, rubber materials can be used. Except under ultra-high temperature conditions (above 400°C), where rubber fails to meet operational requirements, it can serve as a suitable substitute for fiber fabrics in all other operating conditions.

Features

⑴ It can compensate in multiple directions. It comes in various forms, offers large compensation ranges, and has a long service life.

⑵ Can effectively compensate for or eliminate installation errors;

⑶ Low stiffness and small elastic reaction;

⑷ Wide operating temperature range and excellent corrosion resistance;

⑸ Can effectively isolate vibrations and reduce noise;

In addition to the features mentioned above, this product also boasts excellent sealing performance, high pressure resistance, and great strength. It can withstand gases containing mist and small amounts of liquid. By using special rubber compounds, it achieves effects such as oil resistance, acid and alkali resistance, and resistance to aging.

Use

It is widely used at the inlets and outlets of flue gas desulfurization, dust removal equipment, air heaters, and auxiliary-air blowers in steel plants, smelters, petrochemical plants, thermal power plants, cement plants, and nuclear power plants. Compared with metal expansion joints, it significantly outperforms them, earning unanimous praise from users and receiving extensive promotion and application.

Compensator Features

The main features of fiber compensators include the following aspects:

1. Compensates for thermal expansion: It can compensate in multiple directions, significantly outperforming metal expanders that can only compensate in a single direction.

2. Compensates for installation errors: Since systematic errors are inevitable during pipeline connections, fiber compensators effectively eliminate these installation errors.

3. Noise and Vibration Isolation: Fiber fabrics and thermal insulation cotton themselves have sound-absorbing and vibration-isolating properties, effectively reducing noise and vibrations from systems such as boilers and fans.

4. No reaction force: Since the main material is fiber fabric, there is no transmission of force. Using fiber compensators can simplify the design, eliminate the need for large supports, and significantly save on materials and labor.

5. Excellent high-temperature and corrosion resistance: The selected fluoroplastics and silicone materials exhibit superior high-temperature and corrosion resistance properties.

6. Excellent sealing performance; equipped with a relatively complete production and assembly system, ensuring that the fiber compensator is leak-free.

7. Lightweight, simple structure, and easy to install and maintain.

8. The price is lower than that of metal compensators, and the quality is superior to imported products. The price is between 1/2 and 1/5 of that of imported products.

Features of Non-Metallic Compensators Made of Rubber Material

In addition to the above advantages, it also features:

1. Excellent shock absorption performance

2. Excellent sealing performance—features a large flange that eliminates the need for gaskets, allowing for direct installation and cost savings.

3. Long service life.

Non-metallic compensators (fabric compensators, fiber fabric compensators)

Applications: Fabric expansion joints (fiber fabric expansion joints) can compensate for axial and angular movements. They feature zero thrust, simplified support design, corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, and noise reduction as well as vibration damping. They are particularly suitable for hot-air ducts and flue gas/dust pipelines.

Connection methods: ① Flange connection type ② Pipe connection type

Fabric compensators (fiber fabric compensators) types: ① Double-acting ② Angular type ③ Square type

Comprehensive performance

In piping systems, when thermal stresses caused by temperature changes, vibrations from equipment, localized stresses induced by fixed supports, and stresses resulting from installation deviations all occur simultaneously, using rigid connections will inevitably lead to deformation or failure at the system’s weakest point. However, if flexible non-metallic expansion joints are employed, such failure can be avoided. This is closely related to the unique motion characteristics of non-metallic expansion joints, which in turn determine their multi-dimensional displacement capabilities.

Pressure-bearing single-wave and multi-wave expansion joints play an irreplaceable role under certain special operating conditions. In a certain steel plant, the desulfurization spray powder system was equipped with electronic weighing scales. Originally, metal expansion joints were used to compensate for the equipment and pipelines; however, due to the significant reaction force generated, the electronic scales could not be accurately calibrated, failing to return to zero and resulting in inaccurate weight measurements. To meet the operational requirements, it became necessary to adopt non-metallic materials for this rectangular-caliber, large-displacement expansion joint. After undergoing specialized structural and material design, the expansion joint successfully satisfied the demanding operational conditions.