The service life of non-metallic expansion joint skin mainly depends on its working environment, material, design and maintenance. Here is some information about the lifespan of non-metallic expansion joint skins:
Under normal working conditions, the service life of non-metallic skin expansion joint is about 3-5 years.
In coal-fired power plants, the service life is usually more than 5 years, and 8-9 years of service is also common at operating temperatures below 300°C.
The service life of oil-fired power plants varies depending on the type of fuel being burned, and can reach 3-4 years if light oil or diesel fuel is burned; If heavy or crude oil is burned, the service life may be shortened to 1-2 years, as the combustion of these fuels brings more cleaning needs, causing more damage to the expansion joints.
The non-metallic skin used in FGD (Flue Gas Desulfurization) system, whose material such as PTFE cloth, has a service life of not less than 40,000 hours.
- If the skin suffers corrosion or high temperature damage, its service life will be greatly shortened. In this case, even if repair is attempted, the repair effect may be poor because the original glue layer has failed, thus affecting the overall service life.
When the non-metallic skin works under the presence of negative pressure and high pressure, the use of steel wire mesh reinforcement can significantly improve the life and strength of the skin.
Overall, the service life of non-metallic expansion joint skins can range from a few years to ten years, depending on the environmental conditions and material properties in which they are operated. To extend the service life, regular inspections and maintenance should be performed to ensure that the expansion joint is operating in optimal condition. If significant damage or performance degradation of the skin is found, it should be replaced in time to avoid greater damage to the entire piping system.