TECHNICAL BULLETIN NUMBER 101

SPHERICAL JOINT SYSTEM
CUSTOM-ENGINEERED
SOLUTIONS IN
KNITTED WIRE MESH

Metex Knitted Wire Mesh Products
Solve Problems Cost Effectively
Metex knitted wire mesh is manufactured from an “endless” wire that
is formed into loops and subsequently networked, providing elasticity
and resilience not found with woven wire or powdered metal products.
The diversity and versatility of wire mesh enables Metex to produce products for a wide variety of applications, including:
• Seals
• Heat Wicks
• Air Gap Rings
• Breathers
• Noise Attenuators
• Filters
• Coalescers
• Mufflers
• Shock Absorbers
• Gaskets
• Air Filters
• Protective Coverings
• Heat Shields
• Electronic Shielding • Exhaust Seals
• Navin Rings
• Ball Joint Seal
• Catalytic Converter
• Catalytic Converter
Systems
End Rings
Support Mesh
• Flame Arrestors

For forty years, Metex
design, development, and
manufacturing engineers have
been producing engineered
components that take maximum advantage of the
unique characteristics and
robust nature of knitted wire
mesh. Its interlocked looped
structure, which offers excellent resiliency, memory—
even when subjected to
high temperatures as well
as high-tensile or compressive stress—and strength,
make knitted wire the ideal
choice in materials when
both performance and cost
are paramount.
Metex products now
meet a wide range of critical
needs—from providing flexible, yet durable, seals and
joints to noise attenuation,
thermal insulation, and filtration—in some of the most
demanding industrial applications and environments.

Our Spherical Joint System continues a longstanding Metex
tradition of integrating the right designs, materials, and manufacturing
methods to meet customer needs for optimal performance at lowest
possible cost.

Complete in-house design,
R&D, and test facilities

Metex Corporation
970 New Durham Road
Edison, New Jersey 08818
Phone: 732-287-0800
1-800-222-0969
Fax:
732-287-8546
E-mail: sales@metexcorp.com

Metex Europe
4, Rue Pierre Brossolette
92130 Issy Les Moulineaux
France
Phone: 33 (0)1 46 45 99 55
Fax:
33 (0)1 46 45 99 07

Metex Mexico
No. 30 Del Centro Industrial Limon Los Pinos
En Av. Ferrocarril KM 14.5 En El Fracc. Los Pinos
Tijuana, Baja California Mexico
Phone: 011-52-66-89-74-34
Fax:
011-52-66-89-74-53
Flexibility in manufacturing
for JIT requirements

A New, Low-Cost, Spherical Joint Design
for Automotive Exhaust Systems
The Metex Spherical Joint System combines breakthrough innovation and
global best practices of the classic spring-loaded ball joint in a turnkey system
to assure consistent superior performance for the life of the vehicle. Using a
system approach, the proven durable ball joint technology has been optimized
to provide near “zero leak” performance at a fraction of the cost of bellowsbased systems, while meeting the stringent durability and customer satisfaction
needs of major automotive manufacturers worldwide.
The self-supporting design can support the weight of the exhaust system in
either the vertical or horizontal direction, eliminating need for additional
hangers. In addition, the system displays stable, consistent, dynamic behavior
throughout the life of the vehicle.
The Metex spherical-loaded joint system offers the following performance
characteristics:
O
• Operating temperatures up to 700 C (flange surface)
• Less than 1.0 standard liters per minute leakage at pressures up to 34kPa
when new
• Less than 2.0 standard liters per minute leakage at pressures up to 34kPa
after vehicle durability tests
• Pipe outside diameters from 38 mm to 76 mm
The Metex spherical joint system is a complete “turnkey” spring-loaded
ball joint for use in the exhaust systems of internal combustion engines. The
system was developed to provide a joint with “near-zero” leakage performance
in automotive exhaust systems, while acting as a:
• Decoupling point to isolate the vibrations of the engine from the
remainder of the exhaust system and the passenger compartment. This is
extremely important in automobiles where any reduction in noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) will improve ride quality.
• Pivot point to stop the exhaust system from moving when the engine
exhibits large amplitude rolling motion. This is most important in front
wheel drive (FWD) vehicles with transverse mounted engines. In these
cases, the roll axis of the engine is perpendicular to the axis of the
exhaust system. With no pivot point, the exhaust will slam into the
vehicle underbody, or the ground, when the engine rolls upon gear
changes and acceleration/deceleration.

US Patent 5,683,119 and Foreign Patents