Check Valves & Expansion Joints for Naval and Commercial Fleets

Proco Products, Inc. designs and manufactures durable, low-maintenance expansion joints for use specifically in marine industries, such as ballast systems, circulating engine water and main propulsion engines. Proco offers a comprehensive portfolio of products engineered for long life, low maintenance, and superior performance.

Challenges in the Marine Environment

Proco offers a comprehensive portfolio of products specifically designed to address the challenges of the marine environment offering documented compliance and type approvals.

Proco’s rubber expansion joints constructed from U.S. Coast Guard-approved Neoprene and Nitrile elastomers offer superior resistance to seawater, chemicals, and ozone, eliminating the need for gaskets and providing a long-lasting, leak-proof seal. For critical service such as engines or generators, ABS is typically required.

Challenge	Proco Solution	Featured Products & Key Features	Common Marine Services & Applications
Vibration & Noise	The inherent flexibility of our rubber expansion joints allows them to absorb vibrations and dampen noise from mechanical equipment, protecting piping systems and personnel.	Series 240/242: • Rugged, lightweight and heavyweight construction • Wide flowing arch design • ABS Type Approved (certain styles) • ASTM F1123 compliant Series 300 (Style 310): • No-arch design for longer face-to-face needs • ASTM F1123 compliant • Absorbs noise and vibration	• Series 240/242: Fire Main, Main Propulsion Engines, Machinery Cooling, Seawater, Brine, Base Oil, Ships Service Generators, Ballast. • Series 300 (Style 310): Main Propulsion Engines and Ships Service Generators.
Thermal Movement & Misalignment	Proco expansion joints are designed to accommodate axial, lateral, and angular movement, relieving the stress on piping systems caused by thermal changes and structural flex.	Series 230: • Wide arch design (multiple arch configs) • Concentric & eccentric reducing available • ASTM F1123 compliant • Rated up to 190 psi & 225ºF • Full vacuum rating (28″hg)	• Series 230: Loading & Offloading Terminals, Potable Water, and other high-demand fluid piping services requiring significant movement absorption. Main Propulsion Engines, Machinery Cooling, Seawater, Brine, Base Oil, Ships Service Generators, Ballast.
Abrasive Media & Clogging	Our unique self-flushing arch design prevents the accumulation of abrasive media like sand or silt, ensuring consistent flow and preventing damage.	Series 271: • Unique wide self-flushing arch • Designed to eliminate media buildup • Reduces flow turbulence • ASTM F1123 compliant • Rated up to 190 psi & 225ºF	• Series 271: Ideal for systems with suspended solids. Common services include Fire Main, Main Propulsion Engines, Seawater, Ships Service Generators, Potable Water, Ballast.
Pressure Surges & Backflow Prevention	Our duckbill and in-line check valves provide silent, non-slam closure to prevent backflow and mitigate the damaging effects of water hammer in outfall and internal piping.	ProFlex™ Series 700 & 7000: • 100% elastomer construction • Maintenance-free, non-slam design • Corrosion and wear-resistant	• ProFlex™ Valves: Ballast water discharge, bilge pump discharge and other applications where reliable backflow prevention is critical.

Global Marine Certifications & Class Approvals

Proco is committed to meeting the stringent requirements of the international marine industry. We are proud to offer products with type approvals from the world’s leading classification societies, ensuring our solutions are pre-qualified for your most critical projects.

ABS Type Approval (240A/NP-9 or 240C/NP-9)

Scope: American Bureau of Shipping approved product, can be selected by ship designers, builders and owners to be placed aboard an ABS-classed vessel. Proco offers type approval under the following class rules for Styles 240A or 240C/NP-9:

• Steel Vessels
• Naval Craft

ASTM F1123-87 (2004)

Scope: This specification provides the minimum requirements for construction, materials, performance, and dimensional requirements of non-metallic expansion joints for all Proco Products that have neoprene tube and cover or nitrile tube and neoprene cover. The following entitles have adopted this standard:

• US Navy
• US Coast Guard
• All marine vessels

Proco Products (240A and 240c products only) are certified and carry class approvals from:

• ABS (American Bureau of Shipping)
• DNV (Det Norske Veritas)
• Lloyd’s Register
• BV (Bureau Veritas)
• U.S. Coast Guard
• China Classification Society (CCS)
• Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK)

See Series 240 Topside/ Drill Ship Expansion Joint Data Sheet

Featured Naval & Marine Products

Certain applications demand purpose-built solutions. Proco manufactures specialized connectors that meet the tough demands of military and commercial marine service.

• Style 190-K “Navy Fan Connector” See the Style 190k Data Sheet. Built with neoprene conforming to MIL-R-6855, this specialized connector is used in naval ventilation systems to isolate vibration and noise from fans and blowers.
• See the Navy Fan Sizing chart for correct specification.

Lifecycle Support & Marine Inspection

Our partnership extends beyond product delivery. We provide expertise to ensure the long-term reliability of your installations. Regular inspection is critical in marine environments due to unique factors:

• Seawater Pitting: Constant exposure to saltwater can cause pitting corrosion on metal flanges. We can advise on the proper metallurgy for your application.

A proactive inspection schedule checking for cracks, blistering, and changes in rubber hardness is key to preventing failures. For guidance, read our post on inspecting expansion joints in marine applications.

Proco Products routinely provides Educational Training Seminars for customers at all levels. Engineering, maintenance and purchasing seminars can be provided at the customer’s request.

Proco Products’ engineers and/or agent/distributor partners can come to your location and perform on-site inspections of all elastomeric piping or ducting (non-metallic) expansion joints, evaluating each expansion joint utilized in shipboard, shore-based support facilities and/or stores. This inclusive service will provide the following:

• Periodic inspection as mandated by the USCG and Code of Federal Regulations.
• Detailed listing of dimensional, physical and visual expansion joint data.
• Recommended replacement schedule with prioritization.
• System nomenclature and expansion joint identification information.

See more about our Expansion Joint Surveys

Proven Performance: U.S. Navy Case Study

See how Proco’s engineered solutions perform in a military application. At Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti, the U.S. Navy relies on Proco ProFlex™ check valves to manage stormwater runoff and prevent backflow in a harsh, demanding climate.

Choose Proco for Your Marine Application

Proco operates worldwide and maintains one of the largest product inventories in North America.

When you choose Proco, you are gaining a partner with documented performance, global certifications, and a deep understanding of the marine industry. Our team of experts is ready to assist you in selecting the right solution for your specific application.

See our Marine Products Brochure

For more information on expansion joints and check valves from Proco Products, Inc. and to check pricing and availability, contact us today.