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Definition:

Bellows : Hydroformed Bellows

Bellows are mechanical design components that can expand or compress as reaction to an external or internal change in pressure. They are commonly used as mechanical seals, expansion joints, and shaft couplers. Hydroformed bellows are produced by expanding a metal tube inside a mold under hydraulic pressure. This process is the most economic for mass production of metal bellows, but is limited to metal alloys with good elongation characteristics. Other bellows forming processes include welding, cold rolling, and electroforming.