Introduction to Rubber Bellows
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Transcript of Introduction to Rubber Bellows
APPLICATIONRubber Bellows are primarily used to absorb noiseand vibration between rotating equipment such aspumps or chillers and pipework. Their high flexibilityalso makes them suitable for compensating smallinstallation misalignments. Rubber Bellows can beused just like a metal expansion joint to compensatefor axial, lateral or angular movement. as any otherunrestrained expansion joint, rubber bellows willextend under pressure. Their pressure thrusthowever varies with length as the shape of thebellows change. However the forces involved arejust as large. The pressure thrust is calculated bymultiplying the cross sectional area, times themaximum pressure. To prevent the bellows fromextending, the pipework needs to be anchored.Typical applications are taking up thermal expansionin plastic pipework or noise isolation in smalldiameter pipework at low pressures. EA Stenflexbellows are thin walled and therefore extremelyflexible, ensuring the highest degree of noise andvibration isolation.
SELECTIONNot all rubber bellows are the same. To ensure along and trouble free working life, it is vital to selectthe right bellows for the application. Temperatureand pressure are the most important, but not the onlycriteria that needs to be considered.
PRESSUREMost bellows in these data sheets are rated at amaximum pressure of 16 bar g. However this needsto be de-rated at temperatures above 50˚C as thefactor of safety is reduced.
TEMPERATUREThe maximum temperature ratings vary for thedifferent type of bellows. Nylon reinforced bellowsshould never be used at temperatures above 90˚C.Steel wire mesh reinforced bellows such as theEA53 or the EA58 may be used up to 100˚C. Forservice above 100˚C, only a stainless steel bellowswill give an acceptable service life (EA49).
MEDIUMEPDM rubber is the most suitable for heating andchilled water. For HWS or cold water services, agood quality Butyl is recommended such as theEA67-B or the EA68-B. For duty with oil or oilcontaminated water EPDM is unsuitable and abellows with a Perbunan inner liner should beselected such as the EA67-P or the EA68-P.LIFEAll rubber bellows have a limited life. Rubber is an
organic compound which will age with time. The lifeis determined by external influences such asultraviolet light, ozone etc., but the main influence istemperature. The higher the working temperature,the shorter the life expectancy.When making a selection it is not just important tostate the maximum working conditions, but also therequired life.The life expectancy of nylon reinforced bellowsdeteriorates rapidly at temperatures above 70˚C.Where temperatures are continuous throughout theyear, steel wire reinforced bellows such as the EA53and the EA58 should be considered.
LOCATIONThe location and the importance of the installationshould also be considered. At the end of the servicelife a nylon reinforced bellow can failcatastrophically.This can have grave consequences in rooftopinstallations for example or in vital systems such ashospitals. In these cases a steel wire meshreinforced bellows is preferable as it is much lesslikely to fail (EA53/58).
QUALITYEA Stenflex bellows are of the highest qualitystandard. They are manufactured in Europe understrict quality control. All bellows have their date ofmanufacture moulded into the body. The steel wiremesh reinforced bellows Stenflex type AS, EA53 andEA58 (up to 200mm NB) have been type approvedby the German TUV to DIN4809 (The use of rubberbellows in heating systems). This standard requiresthat bellows after a service life of 10 years at 100˚Cmust have a burst pressure of not less than 30 bar.The type AS is marked accordingly and each bellowshas a unique number for full traceability.All the bellows shown in these data sheets can besupplied with material specification.
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCEComprehensive Installation instructions accompanyeach delivery of bellows. These must be followed toensure maximum service life. They also includeinstructions for care and maintenance.
INTRODUCTION TO RUBBER BELLOWS
Engineering Appliances