Expansion Joint Selection

[TugboatEng]

I have a fleet that uses single arch elastomer expansion joints in diesel engine cooling water piping at 180 degrees F. Currently, the joints are an EPDM liner with a Neoprene jacket. The jackets on the joint are getting hard and failing. The EPDM liner is still flexible but you can scrape rubber of the surface with a fingernail. I recently installed two all EPDM joints in an attempt to get a longer life but found out later that the joints should meet ASTM F 1123 which dictates a flame resistant cover. This limits me to Neoprene or Hypalon. Should I expect any longer life out of the jacket by using Hypalon instead of Neoprene?

 

[mk3223]

This may be a good question to the expansion joint vendor for the better material to apply at the operation temperature you have.

For the fire resistant, can one consider a metal shield around the EPDM joint? Or, consider the metallic expansion joint as a option.

 

[TugboatEng]

They go off their charts that say Buna N is good in water to 200 degrees F and Neoprene is good to 250 degrees F. I find that to not be true. Buna and 180 degree water is good for about a year or 3000 hours of run-time, tops. I'm looking for a 10 year life expectancy.

I'm looking for opinions from people with a bit more field experience.