Abstract: A metallic bellows consisting of two plates and one or more annular arrays of resiliently overlapping curved flexible radially-oriented strips. Each region of overlap is sealed by means of a silicone elastomer which tolerates high temperature. Overlap resilience of these strips helps accommodate greater volume displacement and long life while maintaining adequate pressure sealing. This bellows can replace the common and more expensive piston and cylinder in an engine such as a Stirling engine where it can reduce or eliminate friction and leakage losses.