Unaflex® "Supreme" Arch-type Expansion Joints are the WORKHORSE of our line. The arch design is the key that furnishes the flexibility required. Basic styles available in single, multiple or wide arch constructions are: styles 150 for pressure and vacuum, style 200 for Heavy Duty pressure and vacuum, and style 200XL for very high pressure service. Expansion Joints that handle up to 500ºF are available.

Basic construction consists of tube, flange, carcass, internal steel reinforcements, cover and steel retaining rings.

Unaflex® Expansion Joints can be made with filled arches, multiple arches, Teflon®
(FEP) lined, sleeve ends, without arch, tapered (eccentric or concentric), offset, with enlarged arches and with special tube compounds for air, gas, oil, petroleum products, acids, slurries and chemicals of many kinds. Fire Retardant construction to ASTM F1123 specifications and readily available with complete testing and certification. All Supreme Expansion Joint constructions conform to U.S. Coast Guard requirements.

ALSO AVAILABLE IN TAPERED CONFIGURATION

CONCENTRIC

UNAFLEX® "SUPREME" Tapered Spool - Type Expansion Joints are available in three types: Style 150 for pressure and vacuum; Style 200 for heavy duty vacuum and pressure; and Style 200XL for extra high-pressure applications.

Tapered joints are used to connect flanges with different diameters, whether parallel or offset, with initial misalignment less than 1/8 inch. 

Tapered joints can be made with the following variations: With filled arch, sleeve ends, without arch: with special tube materials; with larger arch; with straight section on smaller end of joint to assure clearance of bolts on eccentric type joints and on joints with considerable taper.

Both concentric and eccentric shapes are available in a wide variety of sizes. As with the regular Expansion joints, when piping is not anchored, control units must be used to prevent over-elongation of the joints.

For determining operating characteristic, use the largest I.D. dimension of the expansion joint for specifying refer to chart on  "DIMENSIONS" page.

ECCENTRIC

NOTE:
Unaflex® flexible Rubber Pipe can also be supplied in the tapered construction.

CONSTRUCTION   DETAILS

1. TUBE
   The tube is a single piece of leak-proof lining extending flange-to-flange. It can be furnished in natural rubber, neoprene, chlorobutyl, hypalon, Viton®, Nitrile®, or other compounds as desired. All of our rubber compounds are specifically formulated to provide maximum sound and heat insulation as well s abrasion resistance.
    

2. CARCASS
   This is a strong, bias-ply construction, high-strength woven polyester reinforcing fabric between the tube and cover. The fabric will not rot or mildew and is thoroughly impregnated with a special friction compound to give maximum adhesion under pressure, vacuum and stress conditions.
    

3. STEEL REINFORCEMENTS
   These are the chemically treated solid-round, endless steel rings embedded in the carcass (with Unaflex®  proprietary method to prevent ring migration) giving maximum strength to the expansion joint while under pressure or vacuum service. Round rings, as opposed to square or rectangular rings, are used so there will be no sharp edges which could cut into the reinforcing carcass while flexing causing premature wear to the expansion joint.
    

4. COVER
   This is the exterior surface of the expansion joint, compounded of fire-retardant neoprene to withstand aging, cracking and corrosion. To further protect the exterior of the expansion joint, and to help resist acid and ozone attack, a special coating of yellow hypalon paint is applied.
    

5. FLANGES
   Flanges are full-faced and made an  integral part of the joint to insure a tight reliable seal. No gaskets are necessary. They are drilled to conform to the bolt holes of the companion metal flanges of the pipe line.
    

6. STEEL RETAINING RINGS
   Steel retaining rings are made of flat-rolled steel, split, beveled and plated, and are required for installation.
    

7. HAND WRAPPED FINISH
   Hand wrapping the finish (although more time consuming in construction) insures individual attention so that maximum pressure for curing has been obtained.

CONTROL UNITS - Excessive elongation, caused by shifting of pipe lines, may seriously damage rubber expansion joints. This damage can occur when: necessary support is not provided for the weight of the pipe line; low temperatures in the line are encountered. the lines on the pressure side of air compressors are not anchored properly. Such destructive elongation con be controlled with UNAFLEX® control units. These units are recommended for use where such conditions occur, such as on air-conditioning units that are subjected to reduced temperatures.

In general, control units are always recommended as an additional safety factor, preventing damage to the connector and associated equipment. Our experts will recommend the nits appropriate for your installation.

TEMPERATURE LIMITS FOR CONTINUOUS SERVICE

SUGGESTIONS FOR INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE

1. Clean all foreign matter and remove burrs or sharp edges from flanges.
2. All pipe lines should be properly supported, so that the expansion joints do not carry the pipe load.
3. Remove burrs or sharp edges from flanges
4. Do not install joints on raised face flanges of more than 1/16".
5. All pipes are to be lined up accurately before installing expansion joints. Offset joints should be installed where misalignment is greater than the lateral movement allowed by joint construction.
6. Paint flange face with a mixture of ordinary graphite mixed with enough glycerin to form a thin paste. This will assist removal if it should become necessary.
7. Bolts should be on the inside of the joint flange. Metal washer must be placed at the facing of the split retaining rings.
8. Bolts should be tightened by alternating around the flange and all tightened equally.
9. Slight gouges or abraded areas caused by tools or bolts during installation should be sealed with rubber cement and painted to prevent deterioration of the carcass.
10. Bolt tightness should be checked one week after going on stream and checked periodically thereafter.
11. Joints installed outdoors should have neoprene cover. All joints should be painted with Unaflex® Hypalon paint.
12. All joints should be painted with Unaflex®  Hypalon paint once a year.
13. If system is not anchored to insure against movement beyond maximum stated limits control units must be used.

STYLES 189 - 150 - 200 - 200XL- 1000

Note: These face - to - face dimensions are only a guide. Consult factory for special requirements
Main products:
Metal expansion joints
Rubber expansion joints
Single sphere rubber expansion joint
Twin sphere rubber expansion joint
Flexible stainless steel hose
PTFE expansion joints
PTFE expansions
Fabric rubber expansion joint
Rubber expansion joint reducer
Twin sphere connection with union
Rubber bellows expansion
FEP lining valves