Bellows are expandable vessels, which undergo compression when they experience pressure on their exteriors. They can contract to release gas or expand to take in gas. They can also extend under a vacuum. The release of the vacuum or pressure in a bellow allows it to return to its previous shape as long as the bellow's material does not stretch past its yield strength. Unlike the traditional leather forge and fireplace bellows, the modern-day hi-tech bellows are metallic.

This article presents to you a brief preview of different types of standard bellows, along with their common industrial and commercial uses.

Formed Bellows (convoluted bellows): These metal bellows are made by reworking tubes, which are produced by deep-drawing under various processes such as hydro-forming and cold forming.