If you seek decades of reliable service from your piping system, this article is for you. Your system, when it faces constant corrosive environments, becomes extremely vulnerable. Industrial plants can operate in extremely unpredictable and aggressive environments. From offshore to harsh chemicals processing, engineers have to take care of it all. Under such extreme conditions, the saviour axial expansion bellows come in.
These bellows smartly create stress concentration points through convolutions. This is how the corrosion is degenerated. The protective oxidised layers constantly increase the vulnerability of the components. This is why you need the axial joints to resist fatigue properties.
Selecting the Material
The three important factors to consider when selecting materials are of utmost importance. The time you require your bellows to provide service, the agents of corrosion present, and the temperature ranges. These are factors to help you choose the right axial expansion joints.
1. Inconel 625
If you are operating around oxidised acids and high temperatures, this is for you. It shows maximum corrosion resistance. This even works against seawater corrosion. It is an alloy that is made up of nickel, molybdenum, and chromium. It can resist up to 980°C and tackle oxidation. This is expensive, however. The more inexpensive options are stated below.
2. Stainless Steel
This is the most general yet effective choice in expansion joints. The 316L is made of molybdenum and is inexpensive. It can tackle many factors, starting from weak acids to all organic compounds. It, however, fails at high chloride levels above 60°C. It also has poor resistance against sulphuric acid and other harsh acids. It requires no additional space beyond the length of the bellows. It provides the most economical solution.
3. Hastelloy C-276
These axial expansion joint are your master against all high-concentration acids. This is a nickel-molybdenum-chromium alloy. It is also great for providing stability against oxidation. It costs four times more than a stainless steel bellows.
4. Titanium
This grade 2 metal offers amazing resistance against ocean water. It also works great against chloride and oxidising acids. Perfect for offshore applications. This is because it is much lighter when compared to other metals used in the bellows industry.
Conclusion
Sometimes you need a mixed-material installation to get the right fix for you. Consider the factors to be battles bellows fight. Along with your budget to choose the perfect axial expansion joint in India. Flexpert Bellows helps you understand corrosion mechanisms that are specific to your needs.