Smith-Blair 611 Single-End Expansion Joint, Steel Body

The Smith-Blair Style 611 is a single-end, slip-type expansion joint that absorbs thermal expansion and contraction, or movement of supporting structures, where pipe movement concentrates in one area, 3 to 24 in nominal. A hard chrome-plated slip pipe travels up to 10 in through a packed steel body, relieving stress buildup in the pipeline.

Choose plain ends beveled for welding or flanged ends, with or without limit rods; the configurations and their expanded lengths are in the table below. Packing rings can be replaced without taking the joint out of service, and the joint comes with alloy bolts and nuts.

Application: absorbing changes in pipe length from thermal expansion and contraction or differential movement of buildings, docks, tanks and bridges.

Key Features

• Working pressure up to 150 PSI
• 10 in of axial travel in one end
• Hard chrome-plated slip pipe moves freely, reduces packing wear and resists scratching and scoring
• Optional limit rods stop the slip pipe pulling out and show where it is in the expansion cycle
• Meets applicable AWWA C221 standards; fusion-bonded epoxy certified to NSF/ANSI 61

Up to 150 PSI (standard design) on every size and configuration. 3 to 24 in. For a particular installation the allowable pressure also depends on the piping system, service conditions and installation workmanship; Smith-Blair offers a higher-pressure design on request.

Materials subject to change by the manufacturer.

Steel and cast iron pipe. Built for axial pipe movement only, not angular deflection.

Choose the size and pipe OD, then the configuration; the part number shows in the last option.

From the Smith-Blair 2025 price book. Hard chrome-plated slip pipes are standard.

• Install the joint in an accessible location for future packing adjustment, and use limit rods wherever more than one expansion joint sits in a straight run between anchors.
• Loosen the packing gland bolts, stab the slip pipe fully to the internal stop and mark it, then withdraw it by the amount the instructions calculate from installation temperature and the operating range.
• Tighten the packing gland bolts evenly, alternating sides, only enough to prevent leakage; over-tightening wears the packing early.
• On limit-rod builds, set the limit nuts beyond the limit ring by the total travel less the slip pipe withdrawal.
• Anchor the pipeline and guide and support the pipe next to the joint so it moves freely and concentrically through the packing chamber; the joint does not restrain pipe movement.
• Inspect and adjust the packing for several days after installation, then at intervals set by the movement, pressure and temperature.

From Smith-Blair Installation Instructions TI-047 (Rev 06/21), in the Data Sheet tab.