Expansion joints are capable of isolating critical mechanical equipment from a piping or duct work system, thermal growth, dampen vibration, and reduce noise. They consist of three types: Metal, Rubber and Teflon available in many different end fitting configurations.

All materials expand and contract due to temperature changes. In a piping or ducting system, these thermal changes can produce stress on the system at fixed points such as vessels and rotating equipment as well as the piping or duct work system itself.

A practical and cost effective means of achieving piping system flexibility in a compact design is through the application of expansion joints. The most efficient piping system is the shortest and most directly routed system and expansion joints make this possible. Expansion joints provide an excellent solution for isolation of settlement, seismic deflection, mechanical vibration and sound attenuation transmission produced by rotating equipment.

Thermal changes are produced by the following:

• The temperature of the system when installed is different from operating temperature.
• The temperature cycle during operation.
• The system is exposed to ambient temperature changes.