Expansion Joints
Anchor Seals Inc. is a distributor for a wide variety of expansion joints from the industry's leading manufacturers, delivering excellent performance, reliability, and service life in every piping system.
Expansion joints absorb thermal movement, vibration, noise, and misalignment in piping and duct systems so that pumps, flanges, and equipment nozzles are not carrying loads they were never designed for. Anchor Seals Inc. stocks and sources rubber, metal bellows, and PTFE expansion joints for water and wastewater, power generation, steel, chemical, pulp and paper, and HVAC applications.
As a distributor for twelve expansion joint manufacturers, Anchor Seals Inc. can match the right construction, material, and movement rating to your service conditions and cross-reference any existing joint to a current product. Our engineers assist with sizing, control rod selection, and replacement of obsolete or unmarked joints.
Three Constructions for Every Service
Rubber
Rubber Expansion Joints
Styles 2002, 2020, and 2031 rubber expansion joints for waste and water, chemical, marine, steel and aluminum, power, HVAC, pulp and paper, and mining service.
- Single arch, offset, multiple arch, sleeve, and taper reducer
- Chlorobutyl, FEP lined, and nylon tire cord constructions
- Pressures to 250 psi, temperatures to 400°F
Metal
Metal Bellows Expansion Joints
Fully annealed stainless steel bellows, rolled and seam welded, to absorb thermal movement in piping from vacuum to 300 psi and 200°F to 1500°F.
- Standard sizes from 2 inch to 144 inch
- Welding nipples, fixed and floating flanges
- Temperatures from 200°F to 1500°F
PTFE
Teflon Expansion Joints
Style 1112 and 1113 solid molded PTFE flexible couplings with plated ductile iron flanges for piping, chemical processing, and HVAC systems.
- Sizes from 1 inch to 8 inch ID
- Temperatures from -300°F to +400°F
- Restriction bolts and corrosion resistant reinforcing rings
Expansion Joints From Twelve Trusted Brands
Anchor Seals Inc. is a distributor for a wide variety of expansion joints. Click a logo to learn more about each manufacturer.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does an expansion joint do?
An expansion joint is a flexible connector installed in a piping or duct system to absorb thermal expansion and contraction, dampen vibration and noise from pumps and compressors, and compensate for misalignment between connected equipment. Without one, those movements load the pipe, flanges, and equipment nozzles and lead to leaks and premature failure.
Rubber, metal, or PTFE: which expansion joint do I need?
Rubber joints are the first choice for water, wastewater, HVAC, and moderate temperature process lines because they absorb the most movement and vibration for the cost. Metal bellows are required for high temperatures, high pressures, vacuum, and steam or exhaust where elastomers would degrade. PTFE joints are specified for highly corrosive chemicals that attack both rubber and metal. Our engineers can confirm the right type from your media, temperature, pressure, and movement data.
What information do you need to quote an expansion joint?
Pipe size and flange standard, the media, operating and design temperature and pressure, the movements to be absorbed (axial, lateral, angular), the installed face-to-face length, and whether control rods or tie rods are needed. A sketch of the existing joint or the manufacturer tag from the joint being replaced is also very helpful.
Do you stock expansion joints or are they built to order?
Common rubber joint sizes and styles are typically available for fast delivery, while metal bellows and PTFE joints are usually engineered and built to order for the specific service. Contact us with your lead time requirement and we will advise what can ship immediately.
Can Anchor Seals Inc. replace an obsolete or unmarked expansion joint?
Yes. Send the dimensions, a photo, and the service conditions and we will cross-reference to a current product from one of our manufacturers. For rubber joints, the face-to-face length, flange drilling, and arch count are the key dimensions.
Why should control rods be used with rubber expansion joints?
Control rods limit the joint to its rated axial extension and compression so that pressure thrust and thermal movement cannot overextend it. They are recommended on most rubber joints and required where the anchoring of the piping cannot restrain pressure thrust.
