Belman exhaust expansion joints are available with many end fitting options including welding ends, flanges (welded and loose). For smaller sizes, it is often possible to slide the bellows tangent over the exhaust pipe and secure using band clamps or worm-drive clips. Exhaust expansion joints can absorb axial and lateral movements alone or in combination, and it is usually the required movement capacity which determines the selected configuration.
A single bellow is normally selected to accept mainly axial movement although some lateral movement is usually possible. Where the amount of axial movement is outside of the capacity of a single bellows, a double expansion joint may be necessary. When the unit is required to accept a significant amount of lateral movement, including applications where axial movement is applied simultaneously, a double bellows is usually the preferred option.

A double bellows unit has a intermediate pipe between the bellows and sometimes this is an integral part of the bellows tube reducing the need for welded joints.

Exhaust expansion joints from Belman are designed to be as light as practically possible to give minimum loads on hangers and pipe supports. Further, the bellows technology, often incorporates multi layers, giving maximum movement and flexibility (for minimum deflection forces and good fatigue properties) with good performance in conditions where vibration prevails. Exhaust expansion joints are generally unrestrained so the pressure force (generated by the bellows when pressurised), together with the deflection forces resulting from movement, must be contained by the system fix points and guides.

At high temperatures or where the flow velocity is high, Belman always recommends an inner sleeve in the bellows. The inner sleeve protects the bellows against abrasion from any particulate matter in the flow medium and helps to smooth the gas flow over the convolutions which helps in the reduction of turbulence. It can also help to reduce the temperature of the bellows in the expansion joint.