Grayloc® Universal Ball Joints
Add flexibility to piping spools in static and dynamic applications with our high integrity connectors.
Grayloc Universal Ball Joints* provide secure, flexible connections between pipes and support the transfer of high temperature and high pressure process fluids across your operations. Our flexi-ball and uni-ball configurations ensure ease of maintenance while protecting the integrity of your piping systems.
*Formerly the SMX International Universal Ball Joint
Compensate for pipe misalignment and movement
Accommodate thermal expansion
Reduce pipe stress
Easy Integration and Superior Performance
Shipped factory hydrotested, pre-torqued, and ready for welding, our Universal Ball Joints incorporate a reliable high-temperature, high-pressure Graphoil® seal. Flexi-ball and uni-ball configurations are easily integrated to meet your diverse needs.
Technical Specifications
| Nominal pipe size (NPS) | 1 to 24 in |
| Design pressure rating | Suitable for ANSI Class 150 up to 10,000 psig |
| Hydrostatic test pressure | 1.5 times design pressure rating rounded up to nearest 25 psig |
| Design temperature range | Up to 1,000°F (556°C) |
| Body | Nickel alloy, carbon, low-alloy, stainless, and duplex stainless steels |
| Ball | Nickel alloy, carbon, low-alloy, stainless, and duplex stainless steels |
| Ball coating | Contact Grayloc® Products |
| Packing | Graphoil® |
| Injection port | Type 316 stainless steel, 4140 low-alloy steel, or Inconel 718 |
| External coating | Per customer specifications |
| ASME B31.1, Power Piping |
| ASME B31.3, Process Piping |
| ASTM F1298, Standard Specification for Flexible, Expansion-Type Ball Joints for Marine Applications |
| API 6FA, Specification for Fire Test for Valves |
| ISO 9001: 2008 |
Product Documents
Typical Applications
- Compensates for misalignment between joining legs of piping systems
- Provides effective seal whether the two lines are parallel and offset or come together at an acute angle over a short piping distance
- Used in marine loading applications where other technologies (hoses) are not suitable
- Multiple flexi-ball joints in a series create a flexible pipe spool with reliable sealing for dynamic and static marine loading applications
- Used when hose is not suitable due to size, pressure, or temperature limitations
- Suitable for use in low or high cycle applications
- Provides required pipe spool flexibility for solar tracking movement and thermal expansion
- Mitigates the effects of tank settling and tilting
- Eliminates potentially damaging pipe stresses to the header piping and tank nozzles
- Accommodates static misalignment and pipe movement
- Reduces stress on flowline connectors
- Accommodates expansion and contraction of piping systems as hot transferred mediums (steam) are taken from a cold state to operating temperature
- Reduces pipe stresses
- Accommodates wellhead movement in enhanced oil recovery processes such as steam assisted gravity drainage (SAGD), cyclic steam stimulation (CSS), solvent-aided process (SAP), and toe-to-heel air injection (THAI)
Product Variations
Expansion Arms
Custom-fabricated expansion arms suitable for thermal oil extraction applications.
Alignment Connectors
Flanged universal ball joints alleviate onsite alignment concerns.
Contact Us
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