What is a Short Bend / Elbow?

Elbow (sometimes also refereed as bends) is a key part in a pressure piping system used to change the fluid flow direction. It is used to connect two pipes with same or different nominal diameters, and to make the pipe and thus the fluid direction turn to a certain direction of 45 degree or 90 degree. This change in fluid flow direction adds pressure losses to the system due to impact, friction and re-acceleration.

Types of Elbows / Short Bend based on Direction Angle

According to fluid flow direction of the pipes, elbows can be divided into different degrees, such as 45 degree, 90 degree, 180 degree, which are most common elbows. Also there are 60 degree and 120 degree elbows for some special pipelines. This degree is just an representation of the angle by which the fluid flow is going to change after flowing through the said elbow.

Types of Elbows based on Length and Radius

Elbows are split into two groups which define the distance over which the flowing fluid change direction; the center line of one end to the opposite face. This is known as the “Center to Face” distance and is equivalent to the radius through which the elbow is bent. If the radius is the same as pipe diameter (Center-to-Face dimension of 1.0 X diameter ), it called Short Radius Elbow (SR elbow) used normally for low pressure and low speed pipelines or in tight areas where clearance is the main issue. If the radius is larger than pipe diameter (Center-to-Face dimension of 1.5 X diameter) then we call it a Long Radius Elbow (LR Elbow) used for high pressure and high flow rate pipelines. Advanced Fittings manufactures IBR Elbow in 30 Deg, 45 Deg, 60 Deg and 90 Deg. Adfit manufactures IBR Elbow in Short Radius (1D) and Long Radius (1.5D). Advanced Fittings manufactures IBR Elbow in Seamless Construction upto 24”NB and in 2 Halves welded Construction upto 48”NB. Advanced Fittings manufactures IBR Elbow in Carbon Steel ASTM A234 WPB, Alloy Steel ASTM A234 WP1, Alloy Steel ASTM A234 WP5, Alloy Steel ASTM A234 WP9, Alloy Steel ASTM A234 WP11, Alloy Steel ASTM A234 WP12, Alloy Steel ASTM A234 WP22, Alloy Steel A234 WP91, Stainless Steel ASTM A403 304, Stainless Steel ASTM A403 304L, Stainless Steel ASTM A403 304H, Stainless Steel ASTM A403 316, Stainless Steel ASTM A403 316L and Stainless Steel ASTM A403 316H. Adfit provides IBR Test Certificate Form III C with all IBR Elbow.   For IBR Certified Long Bend, Click here. For NON IBR Elbow / Short Bend Seamless schedule 40, click here. For NON IBR Elbow / Short Bend ERW C class, click here.