Gimbal/Hinged Expansion Joints
A bellows carried in a two-pin gimbal ring that absorbs angular rotation in any plane while the ring restrains full pressure thrust. Used in pairs to take up lateral offset and three-dimensional thermal movement on routed pipework without main anchors.
Technical Data
| Bellow Material | Stainless Steel AISI 304 (opt. AISI 316, AISI 321) |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Pipe Material | Carbon Steel St37.2 (opt. AISI 304, AISI 316) |
| Hinge & Gimbal Material | Carbon Steel St37.2 (opt. AISI 304, AISI 316) |
| End Material | Carbon Steel St37.2 (opt. AISI 304, AISI 316) |
| Connection Types | Fixed Flanged, Rotatable Flanged, Weld-Neck End, Grooved |
| Operating Temperature | -90 °C to +550 °C |
| Operating Pressure | PN6 / PN10 / PN16 / PN40 / PN64 |
| Nominal Diameters | DN25 (1″) to DN1000 (40″) |
| Design | EJMA Standards |
Selection Guide
Fixed or rotatable flanges to EN / ASME.
Best forBolted systemsButt-weld ends for direct welding into the leg.
Best forWelded systemsGrooved couplings for mechanical-joint pipework.
Best forSprinkler / mechanical linesDatasheet & Drawings
Gimbal joint specifications and angular-movement values on one page, plus the technical drawing. A certified approval drawing follows with your quotation.
EN 10204 3.1 material certificates are supplied with your shipment.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a gimbal and a hinged expansion joint?
A hinged joint rotates in a single plane about one pin axis, while a gimbal joint has two pin axes and rotates angularly in any plane. Both carry pressure thrust through their hardware, but the gimbal handles three-dimensional movement.
Why are gimbal expansion joints used in pairs?
A single gimbal absorbs angular rotation only. Installing two of them — or a gimbal together with a hinged joint — lets their combined rotations produce the large lateral and axial movement a pipe route actually needs.
Does a gimbal joint transfer pressure thrust to the anchors?
No. The gimbal rings and hinge pins react the full pressure thrust internally, so the line's anchors and equipment are not loaded by it — a major saving on support design.
What movements does a single gimbal joint absorb?
Angular rotation in any plane. Axial and lateral movements are accommodated by combining gimbal joints into a system across the pipe layout.
What sizes and temperatures can TOTFLEX supply?
Gimbal joints are engineered across a DN25–DN3000 envelope, up to 550 °C in stainless and higher in nickel alloys, with each unit verified for its specific duty.
Which standards apply to gimbal joints?
They are designed to EJMA principles and can be supplied with PED 2014/68/EU or SEP documentation, NDT reports and EN 10204 3.1 material certificates.
Engineered to order. Delivered worldwide.
Send your duty conditions — size, pressure, temperature, medium and connections — and our engineers return a drawing, material selection and lead time.
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