What characteristic does a slip expansion joint require compared to an expansion bend?

A slip expansion joint is designed to accommodate movement in a piping system due to thermal expansion and contraction. Compared to an expansion bend, which generally utilizes bending to allow for movement and may require more structural integrity in its installation, a slip expansion joint operates differently.

The key characteristic of a slip expansion joint is that it effectively allows axial movement with less overall space required for installation. This means that the components can slide into one another, thus necessitating less length than an expansion bend, which has to account for the curvature and additional material required to create the bend itself.

In summary, a slip expansion joint allows for efficient movement in less length than an expansion bend, making it the correct choice in scenarios where space is limited.