Special problems with metal bellows seals If you are using the rotating version of the metal bellows seal, the close fitting anti-vibration lugs can hang up on the sleeve. The tolerance of the sleeve outside diameter is very critical with this type of seal. The face holder, in high temperature applications, is made from a low expansion material that has little to no corrosion resistance. The seal balance line shifts with pressure. A pump discharge recirculation line can wear into the thin bellows section.
Austenitic metals change their spring load when the bellows is over compressed.
At elevated temperatures the carbon face can loosen in the metal holder. Watch out for glued in faces. Good designs will rotate the fluid to prevent a slurry from wearing the thin metal plates. Be careful of stationary seals in high temperature applications. The flush connection will produce uneven cooling causing face distortion.