Learn about Bellows

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Bellows are mechanisms used to suck in air from one area and propel it into another area at a specific rate. Bellows also refer to accordion-like tubing elements used to seal various machine components for protective purposes. In this respect, bellows provide excellent resistance to various environmental factors, such as oxidation and abrasion. Due to their design, they are able to adjust to moving machine parts, and offer a way to seal these components despite any vibrations or motions.

Accordion bellows are used to protect expansion joints, gas springs, linear bearings, flexible pipes and a variety of adjustable or moving devices. They are also used extensively in ducting and other related air transfer applications. Bellows can be made from neoprene, molded polyurethane, fabrics and various metals, including brass, Inconel, nickel and stainless steel. They can easily be made to custom or standard measurements, and material should be selected based on application and environment.

The main methods of creating bellows are molding, welding and sewing. Molded PVC, neoprene and polyurethane bellows are excellent for water-tight operations, and provide exceptional resistance to oil and other fluids. Sewn bellows are a useful means of protecting shafts and screws; wire reinforced bellows are an effective solution to high-temperature applications and operations requiring resistance to industrial contaminants. Sewn bellows utilize a sewn chain of fabric/synthetic and wire rings, while molded bellows are created from a single plastic mold, and therefore offer a seamless seal. Welded bellows provide a leak-tight seal and are suitable for a wide range of uses.

Bellows can be seen in automotive systems and many other common devices, where they help prevent lubricated, moving parts from being contaminated by external sources. Bellows, in their other capacity as air flow systems, are used in many furnace systems to control the rate of air feeding the heating mechanism. This helps ensure proper firing levels and keep furnaces working at a steady, regulated temperature.