In the paper industry, the choice of which expansion joint (compensator) depends mainly on the conditions of the working environment, such as temperature, pressure, the nature of the medium, and the arrangement of the pipes. Here are a few of the types of expansion joints that are most commonly used in the paper industry:
Metal corrugated expansion joint：
It is suitable for high temperature and high pressure steam systems, as well as chemical delivery pipelines.
Can withstand large axial, lateral, or angular displacements.
Common materials include stainless steel, carbon steel, etc. Select the appropriate material according to the corrosiveness of the medium.
Rubber expansion joint (flexible joint)：
Suitable for low to medium pressure systems, especially where chemical resistance or shock and noise reduction is required.
Rubber expansion joints can absorb vibration, reduce noise, and compensate for small amounts of displacement.
Various materials, such as natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, neoprene rubber, ethylene propylene monomer rubber (EPDM), etc., are selected according to the properties of the medium.
Composite expansion joint：
Combines the properties of metallic and non-metallic materials, such as PTFE-lined expansion joints, suitable for use in highly corrosive media.
It has a certain corrosion resistance and can provide good sealing performance.
Non-metallic expansion joint：
It is commonly used in high temperature, low pressure gas systems, such as flue gas pipes.
Structures may contain non-metallic materials such as glass fibers, ceramic fibers, etc., to compensate for displacement at high temperatures.
In the paper industry, metal corrugated expansion joints and rubber expansion joints are the two most commonly used types due to the complex working conditions such as high temperature steam, chemical transport, and wastewater treatment. Metal corrugated expansion joints are mostly used in steam and chemical delivery pipelines, while rubber expansion joints are commonly found in situations where shock absorption, noise reduction and chemical resistance are required, such as pump inlet and outlet, ventilation system and wastewater treatment system.
When choosing an expansion joint, it is also necessary to consider the diameter of the pipe, working pressure, temperature range, displacement amount, and ease of maintenance and replacement. In specific applications, the most suitable expansion joint type should be selected by professional engineers according to detailed design parameters and operating conditions.