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Article #341: Metal Bellows for Industrial Applications

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When you think of the word "bellows" you is manufactured by one of two processes.
probably have a picture in your mind of These processes are mechanical forming,
the leather bellow historically used to and hydroforming. Formed bellows are
blow air into their fireplace. However, generally more expensive for a custom
there is another kind of bellow, a metal bellows than if it were welded. The
bellows, which is a high-technology higher cost is due to the tooling
product used in machinery, medical and required to produce the original form.
industrial applications. Metal bellows However, once the original form has been
are manufactured and sold by companies created then the subsequent bellow can be
specializing in metal expansion joints produced at a lower cost than
and other piping systems. Some bellows individually welded bellow.
are microscopically small while others Formed bellow must be made of metals
are very large. which have high elongation
Simply stated, metal bellows are characteristics. For this reason, most
thin-walled flexible elements which allow formed bellow are made of brass. Formed
for expansion in a system of pipes, while bellows generally are used in
at the same time containing gasses and applications where a lower performance is
liquids in a pressure-filled environment. acceptable. Formed metal bellows are also
A metal bellow is also commonly referred generally larger than those which are
to by the names: flexible metal element, individually welded.
element, corrugations, and compensator. Welded Bellows - A welded metal bellows
Each metal bellow is made by taking into is manufactured by welding individual
account its pitch, convolution height, formed diaphragms to each other. A welded
thickness, number of plies, convoluted bellows can be fabricated in many shapes
length, skirt length, and inside and sizes and is generally a higher
diameter. Every metal bellows has a performance option than a formed bellows.
unique working pressure, life cycle, and Welded bellow can be made of any metal or
spring rate which are entirely dependent alloy which can be welded. Generally,
on their shape and the material in which materials such as stainless steel,
they are made of. These considerations, titanium, and other non-corrosive
and some specific mathematical formulas, materials are used to fabricate welded
insure that a metal bellow meets the bellows.
standards set by the Expansion Joint Formed metal bellow generally are used in
Manufacturers Association. The EJMA larger applications such as HVAC, and
specifications exist to make sure that a large piping systems. Welded bellows are
metal bellow is able to perform under the generally very small and have to be
specifications it claims to. This is for manufactured in laboratories using high
both productivity and safety. levels of magnification. Welded bellows
There are generally two different types are generally used in medical and
of metal bellow available on the market aerospace applications.
today. These two types of bellows are As you can see there are many metal
formed and welded. Let's look a bit at bellows available to fit many needs.
each of them: Bellows are available from companies who
Formed Bellows - A formed metal bellows fabricate metal expansion joints.






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