Stainless Steel Flexible Connectors contribute to the solution of vibration, noise, expansion and offset motion problems in piping systems. Assemblies are designed for both high and low temperatures, as well as high pressure and full vacuum.

Stock sizes include 1/2″ (15mm) through 16″ (400mm) pipe diameter. Temperature ranges are from below 0°F (-18°C) to 850°F (454°C) when using our standard 304 stainless steel. On rare occasions, when temperatures as high as 1500°F (816°C) are needed, Type 316 or 321 are available too. Most standard construction is single braided, but we can provide double braid for higher pressures or omit the braid for low pressure venting or exhaust applications.

Standard end fittings include a fixed ASA 150, carbon steel raised face plate flange on one end and a floating flange on the other. A floating flange is very important as twisting full strength pipe to line up bolt holes is not an issue, but torquing a stainless hose to make up for poor alignment can cause immediate or early failure. Other fittings include NPT Carbon Steel Nipples or Grooved Ends, as well as any combination. Metric threads and drillings are available for export applications.

Stock lengths vary from the minimum “Pump Connectors” to as many as three additional stock lengths for greater movements. Special lengths take a little longer.

Commercial pricing pressure forces us to include the very short Nippled or Flanged Pump Connectors that range from 1/2″ x 61/2″ (15 x 165mm) thru 16″ x 16″ (400 x 400mm). These very short lengths are a travesty with a barely functional length of flexible hose connecting 2 long nipples. They have been shortened year after year from the old standards until no one dares make them shorter. We sell them when specified but recommend our longer lengths at a minor addition in cost, but a tremendous improvement in performance.

In addition to the equal ended flexible connectors, we also manufacture concentric reducers that act as a flexible transition piece between different sizes of piping, particularly at pump suction and discharge. They are usually used with an ASA 150 Carbon Raised Face Steel Plate Flange on one end and a Floating Flange on the other. Other configurations are available as well.

To complete this flexible connector offering, we stock bronze braided hoses with copper female ends for sweating into copper piping systems and the usual copper ended Freon connectors.

Many buildings are separated by expansion joints through the walls and floors. During an earthquake, the two adjacent parts resonate with relative motion of as much as ± 4″ (102mm) in shear as well as toward and away from one another. Vertical motion is minimal. We have developed a unique product to handle this seismic motion. Our Vee construction is based on two 30°, 60°, 90° triangles complimenting one another to form a 60° “Vee” at the bottom. We thought the concept so interesting that we tooled up for these fittings rather than use the common 45°, 90° and 180° configurations. Since it may be necessary to fit these Vee’s at odd angles, depending on space conditions, we have floating ASA 150 carbon steel flanges on both ends. No competitive product can be rotated this way.

Vees are often used in simple expansion applications as well.

Other fittings include Carbon Steel NPT Nipples, Weld Ends,Copper Female Sweat Couplings or Grooved Ends, as required. All of our Vee assemblies are designed for ± 4″ (102mm) movement in all directions. Other manufacturers offer ± 2″ (51mm) designs as well to reduce cost, but it is not worth the risk of misapplication.

Many expansion joints are custom manufactured to diameters as large as 96″ (2438mm). The construction varies, depending on the operating pressure and the required movements. We can provide these unusual constructions in virtually every configuration. We can build to your specific product description or complete our own recommendations based on your movement and pressure requirements.

Please let us have your inquiries.

We also stock expansion joints in 2″ to 16″ (50 to 400mm) diameters with 2″ (51mm) axial and 1/4″ (6mm) transverse capability.

Our newly developed Adjustable Sliding Guides offer many improvements over other guides: one size guide for all thicknesses of insulation; less friction with our Stainless Steel Slides; sturdier construction; and they can be used as load supports.

We still carry spider guides, but the ASG design is far more versatile.

Anchors are designed and manufactured as needed.

Expansion Compensators and Housed Expansion Joints are basically a bellows that is protected by and guided within a pipe housing. While the industry offers two styles, one of which is referred to as “internally” and the other “externally pressurized”, they both serve the same function and we prefer the “externally pressurized” for improved bellows stability. They are furnished with a Fixed ASA150 Drilling Raised Face Carbon Steel Flange on the one end and a Floating Flange on the other. The alternates are Carbon Steel Threaded Nipples, Weld or Grooved Ends or Copper Female Sweat Ends as needed.

There are three movement choices: 2″ (51mm) compression and 1/2″ (13mm) extension; 4″ (102mm) compression and 3/4″ (19mm) extension; or 8″ (203mm) compression and 11/2″ (38mm) extension. They are all designed for systems that will run hot and the slight extension is only there for those occasions when ambient temperatures are fairly high during installation, and the installation drops to some very low temperatures before they are put into hot water or steam service.

When ball joints are installed at each end of a pipe offset, the system can accommodate much larger movements with much lower anchorage requirements than solid pipe in the same configuration.

We not only sell our flanged and weld end ball joints, but we engineer the systems should there be no specifications or if specifications call for design by vendor.

Our latest design rounds out our group of “no major failure” products. Slip joints incorporate many of the design features of ball joints.

Seals are made using high pressure, graphite enriched packing that is easily pressurized or replaced. Rather than 4″ (102mm) and 8″ (203mm) movement, we stock 6″ (152mm) exclusively. This meets the frequent demands for movements up to 2″ (51mm) more than 4″ (102mm). Movements larger than 6″ (152mm) are rarely required.

Our steam service ratings are very low in the interest of safety although our 70°F (21°C) pressure ratings are as high or higher then our competitors. All locations where failure could lead to personal injury or suffocation must be avoided. In dangerous locations we suggest housed expansion joints, solid loops, ball joints, packed devices, etc. rather than thin-walled flexible products regardless of manufacturer.

Consult factory with full location description as well as service conditions for higher pressure or temperature applications.

All Restrained Flanged Bellows are designed for 1″ (25mm) Compression, 3/8″ (9mm) Elongation and 1/8″ (3mm) Transverse movement. If piping is not anchored, the pressure will open the joints 3/8″ (9mm). When proper anchors are installed, movements will take place as required.

Full Vacuum Rating– 30″ (762mm) Hg