Whether in commercial facilities, factories, or residential buildings, properly supporting and joining installed piping is just as important as selecting the right pipe itself. Components like rubber joints, structural pipe hanger, and flexible hoses allow piping systems to operate safely while compensating for expansion, vibration, and corrosion issues. Below we’ll look at how key support elements keep piping intact.
Rubber Joints Absorb Expansion Forces
In pipes conveying hot water or steam, thermal expansion can exert enormous longitudinal forces that could buckle rigid pipe. Rubber expansion joints counteract these forces:
- Multi-Ply Rubber Construction: Alternating layers of rubber and steel give expansion joints their distinctive bellows profile able to flex and compress.
- Absorbs Axial Movement: The elastic properties of rubber allow it to expand and contract. Expansion joints can absorb pipe growth up to several inches.
- Withstand High Temps: Based on the elastomer material used, rubber joint is as rated for continuous use up to 700°F in some models.
- Provides Leak-Tight Seal: Properly selected joints maintain a complete seal and remain aligned through repeated movement cycles.
- Long Service Life: The multi-ply rubber construction is engineered for longevity with proper installation and anchoring.
By installing rubber expansion joints at strategic points, piping can accommodate substantial expansion and contraction safely.
Structural Pipe Hangers Support and Position Pipe
In vertical runs and complex routing, properly placed hangers prevent stress and alignment issues:
- Made From Steel or Iron: Sturdy construction materials provide strength to bear pipe weight, prevent sagging risk.
- Padded Pipe Contact Areas: Rollers, saddles, or isolators cradle pipe smoothly without compromising protective coating.
- Attachment Points Like Concrete Inserts: Provide fixed anchor points for hangers that carry load to the building structure.
- Allows Vertical Adjustment: Hangers can be raised or lowered to fine tune slope and position. Eases installation.
- UL Listed: Reputable hangers are tested to safely handle published load limits per model without failure.
Strategically placing hangers allows piping to remain aligned and supported according to code for safety and longevity.
Stainless Steel Flexible Hose Manage Vibration Issues
In piping prone to excessive vibration like engine exhaust systems, flexible hoses prevent damage:
- Corrugated Stainless Steel Core: Provides high strength while remaining laterally flexible to absorb vibration.
- External Braid: The stainless steel braided jacket protects the inner hose and contains pressure.
- Sturdy End Connections: Thick stainless steel fittings for welded, threaded, or flanged system connections.
- Handles High Temps: Stainless steel construction rated for exhaust system temperatures.
- Resists Corrosion: Stainless steel maintains its integrity in corrosive exhaust flows.
By managing devastating vibration forces, flexible hoses prevent exhaust pipe failures and leaks at critical equipment connections.
Protecting piping integrity relies not just on quality pipe, but on accessories engineered to combat expansion, loading, alignment, and vibration issues. Properly installed rubber joints, hangers, and flexible hoses defend piping safety.