Expansion joints / flexible connectors for pipe up to 50mm, featuring exclusive forged steel threaded flanges and unique
configuration options for connecting steel pipe directly to copper pipe or copper equipment headers. Rugged leak-proof and slippage-proof design. Available for
16
bar or 20 bar working
pressure.
Product Application
Installation of Versaflex is recommended as expansion joints within the piping system and at connection points of piping with mechanical equipment. These: Compensate for axial, transverse and angular pipe movements - thereby protecting the system from stresses due to thermal pipe expansion / contraction, minor pipe misalignment and hydraulic surge effects. Significantly reduce noise and vibration in the system through pipe walls. transmitted by
Allow vibration isolators to function properly, providing flexibility at equipment connection.
Cushion water hammer by expanding volumetrically, thus protecting against sudden startup / surge forces.
Typical examples of usage include:
At inlet and outlet of HVAC equipment AHUs, Pumps, Condensers, HEX. - FCUs, small
Versaflex with threaded connections ('VF' - supplied as standard)
for steel pipe
In HVAC chilled / hot water piping - risers, circulation lines, across building expansion joints. Process Piping, Power Plants, Water Distribution etc.
Product Features
WEICCO Versaflex have forged steel flanges, which are not offered by any other manufacturer. Being much stronger than cast I malleable I ductile iron (supplied by others), forged steel eliminates any possibility of leakage in operation or breakage during tightening. Triangular threaded floating flange design offers safety, reliability and convenience over union type design (please see comparison overleaf). Special extra-wide lips of bellow prevent slippage. Versaflex with bronze couplers (add suffix 'Be') for copper pipe
Each unit is individually tested at 150% of rated maximum working pressure before leaving works. Available with sweat-end or threaded bronze couplers at both ends, or at one end with standard FPT steel flange at the other (please see 'Options' overleaf). This unique configuration, a WEICCO innovation, serves as both a flexible connection and a dielectric union. It is particularly recommended for connecting steel pipe at Fan Coil Unit headers. Rugged and f1exiQle construction, that eliminates need for any external m8taL.dIlQ.Or steeVeinforcement in the bellows. Versaflex do not require control units, even at peak pressure in unanchored piping systems.
As per ASHRAE literature: Elastomeric
joints are significantly superior to metal hose since they provide noise attenuation, axial movement and fluid pulsation I hammer cushioning - none of which are given by metal hose (please see comparison overleaf).
Flanges are epoxy powder coated.
Versaflex with threaded connection and bronze coupler - for steel to copper pipe (add suffix 'BS')
lAS-ANI
SPECIFICA~IONS Model
VF20 VF25 VF30 VF40 VF50
Options Available Overall Length
150mm 155mm 155mm 165mm 175mm
Steel Pipe Nominal
%"
Connections - Forged steel FPT flanges (standard),
Bronze FPT flanges (suffix 'BF'), Bronze sweat-end couplers (suffix 'BC'), Bronze MPT couplers (suffix 'BM'), SS 304 couplers (suffix 'SS'). To order WEICCO Versaflex with any combination of the above, add suffix 'BS' and specify the type and size of connection required at each end.
1" 1%"
1',1,"
2"
Construction
Bellow Inner Tube Reinforcement Outer Cover Threaded Flanges Finish Flanges Nuts I Bolts Epoxypowder coated Zinc Electroplated Neoprene Multi-ply Nylontire cord fabric Neoprene Forged Steel, threadedto BS21
Pressure Rating - 16 kg/cm2, tested at 24 bar
(standard); 20 kg/cm2, tested at 30 bar (suffix '20B'). (standard), EPDM (for temperature rating up to 121C), NR, SBR, CBR, special elastomer suitable for Drinking Water. Suffix name of the elastomer (or 'OW' for drinking water).
Bellow Material - Neoprene
Allowable Movements
Compression Elongation Transverse Angular 17mm 6mm 15mm 25 to 15 (based on increasingsize)
Performance Data
Working Pressure' Vacuum TemperatureRange Burst Pressure Working Fluids
16 kg/cm2 (standard) or 20 kg/cm2
650 mmHg -20C to 105C appx. 4 times working pressure Water, weak Acids I Alkalies, Air
* Applicable till 7rC. Above that, please derate linearly,
considering 30% reduction at upper end of temp. range.
Compliance - ASTM F 1123-87 (2004); all units are
tested as per BS 5150 : 1974
Advantages of Elastomeric Expansion Joints I Connectors over Metal Hose
Elastomeric bellows introduce a discontinuity in the pipe material and are capable of volumetric growth. Both attributes serve to dissipate high frequencies, making the bellows excellent noise attenuators. Metal hoses are acoustically ineffective since they sustain metal to metal contact throughout and cannot grow in volume. As a result, they permit noise transmission in the system through pipe walls. Elastomeric bellows are effective as expansion joints since they permit both axial and transverse movement. Metal hose only accommodates lateral movement perpendicular to length. Volumetric expansion ability of elastomeric bellows enhances their efficiency as vibration isolators and helps shield the system from fluid pulsations.
Advantages of Flanged over Union type connectors
A much larger and firmer gripping area on the side lips of the bellows. Failure of union type connectors frequently takes place due to slippage of rubber lips. This possibility is eliminated by the triangular flanges. Forged flanges are much stronger than cast or malleable iron unions and eliminate chances of leakage Triangular in operation or breakage during tightening. flanges offer convenience of assembly I disassembly by reducing the task to tightening of six the need for large wrenches
small nuts and avoiding as needed for unions.
