ENGINEERING STANDARDS // RAL-GZ 719

RAL-GZ 719 Standard: Fabric Expansion Joint Quality Assurance & Design Rules

Gütegemeinschaft Weichstoff-Kompensatoren e.V. Quality Specifications, Temperature Tiers & Test Procedures

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BundleTec Engineered Standards

RAL-GZ 719 (Gütegemeinschaft Weichstoff-Kompensatoren e.V.) is the premier European benchmark defining quality assurance, raw material classification, helium tightness testing, and mechanical integrity for non-metallic fabric expansion joints.

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RAL-GZ 719 Temperature Groups (Groups 1 to 5: 100°C to 1000°C)

The cornerstone of RAL-GZ 719 is its rigorous temperature classification, dividing expansion joints into 5 continuous operating temperature groups with strict material requirements:

Temperature Group Continuous Operating Temp Recommended Membrane / Construction Typical Application
Group 1 ≤ 100°C (212°F) EPDM / Neoprene / Chloroprene elastomer single/multi-layer HVAC systems, clean ambient air, low-temp fan intake ducting
Group 2 ≤ 200°C (392°F) Fluoroelastomer (FKM / Viton) / Silicone coated fiberglass Industrial dryers, moderate acid flue gas, ventilation ducts
Group 3 ≤ 400°C (752°F) 100% Cross-film virgin PTFE gas barrier + E-Glass carcass FGD wet scrubbers, chemical reactors, acid condensation zones
Group 4 ≤ 600°C (1112°F) Multi-layer needle-punched silica blanket + AISI 304 mesh Coal power boiler exhausts, cement preheater cyclone ducts
Group 5 ≤ 1000°C (1832°F) Inconel 625 wire-reinforced textile + bio-soluble ceramic bolster Gas turbine exhaust diffusers, HRSG bypass stacks, thermal shock

Helium Leak Rate Testing Methodology (Q ≤ 1×10⁻³ mbar·l/(s·m))

Per RAL-GZ 719 Section 4.3, non-metallic compensators destined for toxic, acidic, or volatile flue gas service undergo helium mass-spectrometer tightness verification. The maximum allowable leak rate is governed by:

Q = (V · Δp) / (Δt · L_seam) ≤ 1.0 × 10⁻³  [mbar · l / (s · m)]
DIN EN ISO 13934-1: F_max ≥ 4000 N / 50 mm
Joint/Seam Efficiency: η_seam ≥ 0.85 · F_max

Mechanical Tensile Testing & Seam Strength (DIN EN ISO 13934-1)

Structural textiles are subjected to strip tensile testing per DIN EN ISO 13934-1 to ensure resilience against aerodynamic buffeting and multi-axial displacement forces. Minimum breaking force must exceed 4000 N / 50 mm in both warp and weft directions, with joint/seam retention of at least 85% base tensile capacity.

Construction Types: Type 1 (Belt) & Type 2 (Flanged Cuff) Architectures

RAL-GZ 719 distinguishes between Type 1 (flat cylindrical belt with external clamping bars) and Type 2 (integrated fabric flanged cuffs). When duct velocities exceed 10 m/s or abrasive particulates are present, internal flow sleeves (baffles) and thermal bolster pillows are mandatory design elements.

RAL-GZ 719 Certified Expansion Joint Series

Explore our precision-engineered fabric expansion joints built to RAL-GZ 719 standards:

ArminTec Series →
Multi-layer high temp composite up to +950°C.
ChemTec Series →
100% pure PTFE barrier for acid dew point condensation.
FanTec Series →
Heavy vibration dampening & fan intake duct connectors.
FAQ // Knowledge Base

Engineering Standards & FAQ

What are the technical differences between RAL-GZ 719 Temperature Groups 1 through 5? +

Group 1 (≤100°C) and Group 2 (≤200°C) utilize single-layer or multi-layer EPDM/FKM elastomeric compounds. Group 3 (≤400°C) incorporates cross-film PTFE barriers with glass fiber backing. Group 4 (≤600°C) comprises needle-punched silica/calcium-silicate insulation cores, and Group 5 (≤1000°C) specifies Inconel mesh wire reinforcements and bio-soluble ceramic bolsters for extreme thermal gradients.

How is helium leak testing executed for fabric expansion joints under RAL-GZ 719? +

The assembled expansion joint is clamped into an airtight test fixture, helium gas is injected under pressure or into an evacuated chamber, and a calibrated mass-spectrometer sniffing probe scans all clamping interfaces. The allowable limit is strictly Q ≤ 1×10⁻³ mbar·l/(s·m).

How do BundleTec expansion joints adhere to RAL-GZ 719 specifications? +

All BundleTec series—including ArminTec, ChemTec, and FanTec—are engineered and manufactured in strict compliance with RAL-GZ 719 requirements, using DIN EN ISO 13934-1 certified textiles and certified gas-tight sintered PTFE foils.