The benefits that come with the applications and uses of stainless steel bellows can’t be overlooked. However, in a market filled with numerous competitors, it is imperative to settle on the best exhaust bellows manufacturer. The benefits that come with making the right decision includes ensuring safety and giving a longer life to your piping systems.
A great metal bellows manufacturer will always ensure that they use the best manufacturing methods to assure you of the benefits as mentioned above. It is imperative noting that excellent manufacturing methods go hand in hand with working with the perfect raw materials. That is the reason why they settle on stainless steel.
If research findings are anything to go by, iron melts at temperatures of between 2,100 and 2,900 degrees Fahrenheit while steel has its melting point at between 2,600 and 2,750 degrees Fahrenheit depending on the alloys used. These findings make stainless steel the most preferred raw material in the manufacturing of metal bellows.
To get the best experience, there are several things you must religiously do right, and they include;
1. Understand the Manufacturing Process
It is imperative to know how metal bellows are made. Once the raw materials are in possession of the manufacturer, they can design and manufacture stainless steel bellows of different shapes and sizes to suit different needs. However, the key things that the best manufacturer must have in mind are the type of working environment and possible challenges.
Once the raw materials are in the bellow forming machine, the manufacturer must at all times consider the set standards. These specifications must also, at all times, satisfy the set standards of the relevant regulatory authorities. Sometimes your needs might not be falling under the manufacturer’s specifications, and if that is the case, they should be flexible and provide you with custom bellows.
2. Know the Role They Play
When working with fluids, two main challenges occur, the risk of breakage from thermal expansivity and the risk of explosions. Fixing these challenges can prove costly and challenging in equal measures. Stainless steel bellows allow three types of movements that neutralize the expansivity; they are the axial, lateral, and angular movements.
If you don’t have experts at your disposal, the high chances are, you could easily find yourself making wrong decisions, which will prove costly. If you choose and work with the best stainless steel bellows manufacturer or supplier, they should provide you with the necessary expert opinion.
Some of the common bellows include;
- Multi-ply bellows
- Standard bellows
- Custom bellows
3. Understand Your Working Environment
Different working environments will determine your choice of stainless steel expansion joint. Situations with high temperatures will demand specific types of metal bellows. It is also vital noting that depending on the fluids handled, the risk levels vary.
Where many bends are vital when handling highly pressured or hazardous fluids, you will need to settle on the perfect stainless steel bellows, your manufacturer or supplier should also be able to guide you on all the necessary procedures you will need to take to ensure safety. Which is further explained in the next point
4. Safety and Maintenance Procedures
Working with the right high pressure expansion joint is a sure way of keeping away losses. It might seem secondary, but the bellows boost safety levels to the personnel working with or around the piping systems. From time to time, it is also imperative to make sure that the bellows and the piping systems are inspected.
The inspection works help in identifying flaws, and if detected early enough, proper maintenance or replacements can be done. If yours are unique or custom bellows, working with the right manufacturers or suppliers should be able to provide you with the same needs and in record time.
Stainless steel bellows are designed to make working with fluids at high pressures and temperatures favorable. However, your best bet in making that dream come true lies with working with the best products from the best manufacturers. These bellows should not be limited to the set specifications if manufacturers can avail custom bellows on request then they are worth working with.
