There are a variety of rubber expansion joints available. These are engineered products that offer resistance to abrasion and erosion as well as sound reduction. They can be used in a wide range of temperatures and corrosive conditions. They can also be made of natural or synthetic elastomers.
The basic objective of a rubber joint is to provide ample room for expansion. The joint should be positioned between two flanges. This allows for a smooth transition between the structure and its surroundings. A thin joint is more easily controlled than a thick one. In addition, a thinner joint will tend to reduce the amount of noise that transmits through the system.
The flanges of the joint are often reinforced. This is done with wires or solid rings, which are embedded in the rubber. The joint’s body can be reinforced with fabric, as well. In addition, a leak-proof lining tube extends through the bore to the outside edge of the flange. This eliminates the possibility of fluids entering the carcass.
If a large number of these joints are required, a manufacturing process that combines robotics and automation can be a useful option. This type of technology increases quality, reduces production time, and introduces cost savings. In addition, the machine operator can be trained in as little as a week.
When designing an expansion joint, the following considerations must be taken into account: The design should be watertight, the flanges should be clean, and the joints should be evenly distributed. They should also be able to accommodate a range of loading conditions. These factors affect both the flexibility and ride comfort of the product. A good example of a successful design would be a rubber joint that is inserted into a piping system. This expansion joint rubber helps to dampen vibrations caused by fan blade frequency.
In addition, the materials used for an expansion joint must be able to handle different types of media. The best elastomers for chemical or liquid applications include EPDM, Neoprene, and Hypalon. In addition, there are specialty elastomers.
The design of an expansion joint should be based on the application site. This includes the expected movements of the building, as well as the type of weather. In addition, the joint should be able to expelling debris and debris must not cause distress to the span. If the expansion joint is designed for a deck, it must be able to expand without being damaged.
When a joint fails, it is because the pressure on the flanges exceeds the rating of the rubber. The rubber should be painted with a glycerin solution to avoid this type of failure. A hose-stream test can be conducted to ensure that the seal on the expansion joint remains intact during fire.
The manufacturing process is highly automated. For larger quantities of a specific type of expansion joint, this process is very useful. The TANIQ technology has been applied to optimize the manufacturing process and to increase the speed of the production. In addition, the company has developed software that allows for further optimization of machine paths. This has led to a 60% reduction in the production time.