Safeguard the Lifespan of Your Investment
Over 80% of fabric expansion joint failures encountered in the industry stem not from material fatigue, but from improper installation and workmanship errors. Minor details overlooked in massive industrial projects pave the way for internal tearing of fabric components. Here are the rules to guarantee longevity:
1. Flawless Parallelism of Flange Surfaces (Axial Misalignment)
Aligning the ducts or pipes before seating the expansion joint is crucial. Although a certain margin for axial misalignment is accounted for by our engineers, the continuous concentration of asymmetric installation loads on a single point causes the fabric to wear. Pre-installation leveling is of vital importance.
2. Precise Torque Calibration (Bolt Torque)
- Bolts must never be tightened sequentially, but always in a Cross Pattern.
- Applying excessive torque causes the expansion joint fabric flanges to crush, losing their sealing properties.
- The Nm values specified in our torque table must strictly not be exceeded.
3. Operational Precautions Against External Physical Damage
Weld spatter from maintenance or welding operations immediately adjacent to the pipeline will puncture the outer silicone or PTFE layer. During and after installation, the expansion joint must be protected with a temporary fire-resistant blanket, and insulation stand-offs should be used.
As the BundleTec Global Field Service team, we commit to these three golden rules in all your installations, extending your fabric lifespan by up to 2 times.