A short introduction to the Oakbridge Bellow Technical video library.

Van stone flanges enable ease of installation and provide a corrosion barrier between the media and the flange.

This is a video that is of interest to design and maintenance engineers, pipefitters, and contractors.

Many users such as power plants and refineries have expansion joints with 2-ply testable bellows. These redundant bellows are often overlooked during the piping system inspection.

A demonstration is provided with a recommended test fixture for safe and easy testing between the bellows plies.

This is a video that is of interest to maintenance engineers and inspectors

The EJMA design guide and the ASME code have different design criteria for metal bellows cycle life.

The history of the ASME B31.3, Section VIII, and EJMA fatigue curves are discussed along with practical recommendations for expansion joint cycle life specifications.

This is a video that is of interest to design, piping, and vessel engineers.

Are all metal rectangular expansion joints created equal? Not even close. Many after-market metal rectangles are made with a V-profile with a miter weld at the corners – these are flawed design features. The longest lasting designs have a U-profile with round corners. This is a video that is of interest to design and maintenance engineers.

A metal bellows can be easily damaged if installers are not careful. The dents, arc strikes, and scratches are not always a cause for immediate panic. This is a video that is of interest to maintenance engineers, inspectors, pipefitters, and contractors.

How does a thin bellows hold the same pressure as that of a thicker pipe? The hoop stress pressure of a pipe is derived and then a comparison is made to how it is calculated for a metal bellows. This is the basis for the equation found in both the ASME code and the EJMA design manual. Metal bellows pressure increasing reinforcement options such as root rings and T-rings are reviewed. This is a video that is of interest to design, piping, and vessel engineers.

How does a metal bellows flex? The theory of bellows deflections are discussed along with the EJMA (expansion joint manufacturers association) fatigue curves. A brief review is given as to how the EJMA fatigue curves were developed. A comparison is made between the deflection of a metal bellows verses that of a pipe loop for the ‘plastic correction’, or ‘yield’ of the material. This is a video that is of interest to design, piping, and vessel engineers.

Metal bellows expansion joints that have high internal flow need to be protected by an internal liner. The effects of high flow on an expansion joint are discussed. This is a video that is of interest to design and maintenance engineers.

Guidelines are given for the correct installation steps for metal expansion joints. This is a video that is of interest to pipe fitters and maintenance engineers.

An overview of the EJMA manual contents is given along with tips and recommendations for those seeking expansion joint information. This is a video that is of interest to design, piping, vessel and maintenance engineers along with buyers, pipefitters, and contractors.

The expansion joints down in the LP turbine are rarely inspected due to limited access to the covered metal bellows. Inspection and replacement recommendations are discussed. This is a video that is of interest to maintenance, steam and turbine engineers, and inspectors.