Selection and Application

General Rubber is pleased to provide guidance on the selection and application of expansion joints for applications ranging from basic to demanding. We service many industries and sectors with over 65 years of expansion joint design and manufacturing experience.

When discussing rubber expansion joint (REJ) selection and application, the focus is typically on materials of construction as well as the quality, durability and capabilities of the REJ. However, selecting and applying the correct REJ for a given application is critical to ensuring the features and benefits of the REJ are realized. We have published numerous technical articles that elaborate on the many factors of selection and application.

REJs are utilized in a wide cross section of industries and sectors. The selection and application of REJs is heavily dependent on the requirements and demands of each of these industries and sectors. The predominant sectors include Engineering Procurement and Construction (EPC), Maintenance Repair and Operations (MRO) and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). With over 65 years of design and manufacturing experience, General Rubber is proud to offer comprehensive solutions for each.

EPC represents an important sector focused on the design of new process systems spanning multiple industries. Minimizing system footprint and equipment requirements while increasing energy efficiency and system reliability, are common goals for this sector. The chemical processing industry may be more interested in system reliability and adherence to code while the HVAC industry may be more interested in optimizing space and performance. Utilizing our extensive experience and performance based REJs can best meet these goals. We have developed the Best Piping Practice and Optimization (BPPO) program to address the selection and application of REJs for this sector and its industries.

MRO represents an important sector focused on existing process systems spanning multiple industries. Improving reliability and efficiency with a replacement for cause and/or predictive maintenance approach are common goals for this sector. The nuclear and fossil power industries may be more interested in zero leakage and minimizing negative news cycles while the mining and mineral processing industries may be more interested in custom performance replacement REJs for high wear service. Utilizing our extensive experience and performance replacement REJs can best meet these goals. We have developed the Plant Reliability and Efficiency Program (PREP) to address the selection and application of REJs for this sector and its industries.

OEM represents an important sector dealing with major equipment suppliers spanning multiple industries. Minimizing equipment weight and maximizing its performance are common goals for this sector. A condenser manufacturer may be more interested in minimizing pressure thrust loads while a cooling tower manufacturer may be more interested in outdoor service and adding flexibility. Utilizing our extensive experience and performance based REJs can best meet these goals. We have developed OEM Solutions to address the selection and application of REJs for this sector and its industries.

Whether you are an engineer designing a new process system and/or major process equipment, or you are an operations professional interested in system reliability and efficiency, we have the selection and application tools for you.