Metal bellows expansion joints are flexible components designed to absorb thermal expansion and contraction in piping systems, as well as provide a degree of flexibility to accommodate misalignment and vibration. They consist of a series of convolutions or corrugations in a metal tube, which can be made from a variety of materials, including stainless steel, carbon steel, and Inconel.
One of the most misunderstood aspects of expansion joints is their interaction with pipe supports. This section provides mandatory equations for the distance between pipe guides to prevent lateral buckling due to pressure thrust. Ejma Standard.pdf
While the EJMA organization sells printed copies of the standard, the has become the industry standard for several practical reasons: including stainless steel