"The joint will only contract when the piping load overcomes the pressure thrust, which will disengage the limit rods.

As far as the pressure thrust on the nozzle goes, the flange should only see the thrust on the bellows area that is outside of the pipe ID. The pressure thrust inside the pipe ID area goes into the pump casing and the impeller.

You will need a pretty stout anchor downstream of the joint as it will need to carry the full pressure thrust of the effective diameter of the joint. "

This I copied for Habib's reference from the replies made by Kavin Monroe & Edward L. Klein in April 16-17,2002 in this discussion forum.

Thus, tied bellow with no nuts in inner side, will still be a tied bellow, so long a positive gauge pressure exists within piping & piping load has not overcome pressure thrust fully.

regards,

sam