Two days ago, at the power plant site, the old master pointed to a huge rectangular pipe and told me: Install this non-metallic expansion joint, and be careful not to scratch the fabric layer. I was stunned for a moment-the non-metallic expansion joint he was talking about clearly said "non-metallic compensator" on the drawing. The same thing, two names, and that's just the beginning. Later, I discovered that this thing has a bunch of aliases in the industry: fabric fiber expansion joints, flue compensators, non-metallic flexible joints... Let's just figure this out today.
The "compensator" and the "expansion joint" are originally the same thing
Why does the same thing have so many names? In fact, the root is that the words "compensator" and "expansion joint" are the same thing. Just like people have big names and nicknames, pipeline flexible compensation equipment also has two official names. Not to mention, by structure, there are also rectangular non-metallic expansion joints, a variant specifically used on rectangular flues. When customers call to inquire, eight out of ten say "I want non-metallic expansion joints", and the remaining two say "non-metallic compensator", but when it comes to the drawing, it may say "fabric fiber expansion joints" again-because its main body is indeed superimposed and pressed from high silicon fiber cloth and fluororubber coated cloth.
It's not the same thing as a metal hose
One of the most confused purchasers I've ever seen came to me with the drawings, said they needed a "soft connection" and asked me if it was a metal hose. It was immediately apparent that he had confused a non-metallic compensator with a metal hose. Metal hoses are corrugated pipe structures, which are resistant to high pressure, while non-metal compensators rely on fabrics and flexible materials to absorb displacement, which are resistant to high temperatures and corrosion, but have weak pressure bearing capacity. They are like raincoats and jackets. They can both block water, but they are actually used in two ways. In the flue ducts of power stations, cement plants and desulfurization systems, non-metallic compensators are the protagonists.
Where did the "flue compensator" come from? Because the flue gas baffle door and desulfurization flue gas baffle door are equipped with non-metallic compensators nine times out of ten. The flue gas coming out of the boiler is hot and contains sulfur, and the metal bellows can't bear the corrosion at all, while the non-metallic materials are like fish in water. The old masters were too lazy to say the full name, so they shouted "flue compensator" directly. The new technicians were confused when they heard it: Is this the same thing as non-metallic compensator? Yes, that's it. There is also one called "non-metallic flexible compensator", which emphasizes its flexible characteristics, but it is actually the same thing.
The name "fabric fiber expansion joint" is shouted loudest in the workshop
Let's talk about the term "fabric fiber expansion joint". In the production workshop of non-metallic expansion joints, the most conspicuous thing is the layers of fabrics-glass fiber cloth, polytetrafluoroethylene film and aluminum silicate cotton felt. The old master looked at these materials and casually shouted "fabric fiber expansion joint". This name is also recognized in the standard. JB/T 12235-2015 is the national standard for non-metallic expansion joints, which clearly defines it as a flexible compensation device. So when you hear "fabric fiber expansion joint", don't doubt it, it's the brother of the non-metallic compensator.
With so many names, these are the ones that you really need to report clearly when placing an order
After all, there are so many names, but when you want to buy it, you have to clarify the key parameters: diameter size, pressure, temperature, medium, displacement, and whether it is circular or rectangular. Because the structural details of rectangular non-metallic expansion joints are different from those of circular joints, the installation methods are also different. Don't just say "I want a non-metallic compensator", that's not saying it.
The next time you hear someone shout "flue compensator" or "fabric fiber expansion joint", you will know what kind of thing he is referring to-non-metallic, flexible, high-temperature resistant, specialized in thermal expansion and contraction of smoke and air ducts. If you are still unsure, just throw the working condition parameters over, and let's smooth them out together.