Steel pipe elbows are important components in piping systems, used to change the direction of fluid. According to the main material, the types of steel pipe elbows are stainless steel elbows, carbon steel elbows, and alloy steel elbows; according to the direction of the fluid, the types of steel pipe elbows are 45 degrees, 90 degrees, and 180 degrees; according to the length and radius of the elbow, the types of steel pipe elbows are short radius elbows (SR elbows) and long radius elbows (LR elbows); according to the connection type, the types of steel pipe elbows are butt welding elbows, socket welding elbows, and threaded steel pipe elbows. Below we will explain the specifications and applications of each type of elbow, and you will understand your exact needs before purchasing.
Applications and types of steel elbows
In simple terms, a steel pipe elbow is a type of
pipe fitting that connects two pipes. The main purpose is to change the direction. As we all know, steel pipe elbows can be divided into different angles, usually 45-degree steel pipe elbows, 90-degree steel pipe elbows, and 180-degree steel pipe elbows. Other angles, such as 60° or 120°, are also used in piping systems if there are special requirements.
90-degree steel pipe elbow is the most commonly used type
The 90-degree steel pipe elbow is the most commonly used pipe fitting that can change the direction of the fluid by 90 degrees. It is also called a vertical elbow and is widely used in various types of piping systems. It is designed to be compatible with steel structures and is easy to install. According to different application requirements, 90-degree elbows are divided into two types: long radius and short radius. Long radius 90-degree elbows are often used to connect pipes of different lengths together. They are suitable for the connection of water pumps, deck drains and
valves, providing a smoother flow path. Short radius 90-degree elbows are suitable for occasions with limited space. Although they have a shorter diameter, they have the same function and are suitable for piping systems that require a compact design.
45-degree elbow
The 45-degree elbow is a pipe fitting used to change the direction of the fluid in a piping system. It is usually used to change the flow direction of the fluid by 45 degrees. Compared with other elbows (such as 90-degree and 180-degree elbows), 45-degree elbows have less angle changes, so 45-degree elbows are ideal for situations where the fluid flow rate is high and low pressure loss needs to be maintained.
180-degree steel elbow
The 180-degree steel elbow is a pipe elbow commonly used in pipeline systems. It is specially used to completely reverse the direction of the fluid in the pipeline, that is, to change the flow direction of the fluid by 180 degrees. Because its shape is similar to a half circle, it is also called a "U-shaped elbow". This elbow is very common in situations where circulation, reflux or limited pipeline layout is required.
The difference between 90-degree elbows and 45-degree elbows
There is not much difference between the two. The biggest difference is the difference in the angle of the elbow. According to the actual construction situation, choose elbow products with different angles. For example, if the pipeline direction requires a right-angle turn, a 90-degree elbow product is required. If only a 45-degree turn is required, a 45-degree elbow is selected. For the same project, if two 45-degree elbow products are selected, the price list will be more expensive than using one 90-degree elbow, which is not cost-effective.
Carbon steel elbow specifications
The material is carbon steel, and the reference standards are:
ASTM A234: Standard Specification for Forged Carbon Steel and Alloy Steel Pipe Fittings for Medium and High Temperatures
ASTM A403: Standard Specification for Forged Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings
ASME B16.9: Factory-made Forged Steel Butt Welding Fittings
|
Nominal
Pipe Size
(NPS)
|
Outside Diameter
at Bevel
D
|
Center to End
|
|
Long Radius Elbows
|
Short Radius Elbows
|
|
90 degree
A
|
45 degree
B
|
90 degree
A
|
45 degree
B
|
|
1/2
|
21.3
|
38.1
|
15.7
|
--
|
--
|
|
3/4
|
26.7
|
38.1
|
19.1
|
--
|
--
|
|
1
|
33.4
|
38.1
|
22.4
|
25.4
|
--
|
|
1-1/4
|
42.2
|
47.8
|
25.4
|
31.8
|
--
|
|
1-1/2
|
48.3
|
57.2
|
28.4
|
38.1
|
--
|
|
2
|
60.3
|
76.2
|
35.1
|
50.8
|
--
|
|
2-1/2
|
73
|
95.2
|
44.4
|
63.5
|
--
|
|
3
|
88.9
|
114.3
|
50.8
|
76.2
|
31.6
|
|
3-1/2
|
101.6
|
133.4
|
57.2
|
88.9
|
36.8
|
|
4
|
114.3
|
152.4
|
63.5
|
101.6
|
42.1
|
|
5
|
141.3
|
190.5
|
79.2
|
127
|
52.6
|
|
6
|
168.3
|
228.6
|
95.2
|
152.4
|
63.4
|
|
8
|
219.1
|
304.8
|
127
|
203.2
|
84.2
|
|
10
|
273.1
|
381
|
158.8
|
254
|
105.2
|
|
12
|
323.9
|
457.2
|
190.5
|
304.8
|
126.3
|
|
14
|
355.6
|
533.4
|
222.2
|
355.6
|
147.3
|
|
16
|
406.4
|
609.6
|
254
|
406.4
|
168.3
|
|
18
|
457.2
|
685.8
|
285.8
|
457.2
|
189.4
|
|
20
|
508
|
762
|
317.5
|
508
|
210.4
|
|
22
|
558.8
|
838.2
|
342.9
|
558.8
|
231.5
|
|
24
|
609.6
|
914.4
|
381
|
609.6
|
252.5
|
|
26
|
660.4
|
990.6
|
406.4
|
660.4
|
273.5
|
|
28
|
711.2
|
1066.8
|
438.2
|
711.2
|
294.6
|
|
30
|
762
|
1143
|
469.9
|
762
|
315.6
|
|
32
|
812.8
|
1219.2
|
501.6
|
812.8
|
378.1
|
|
34
|
863.6
|
1295.4
|
533.4
|
863.6
|
357.7
|
|
36
|
914.4
|
1371.6
|
565.2
|
914.4
|
378.8
|
|
38
|
965.2
|
1447.8
|
599.9
|
--
|
--
|
|
40
|
1016
|
1524
|
632
|
1016
|
420.8
|
|
42
|
1066.8
|
1600.2
|
660.4
|
1066.8
|
441.9
|
|
44
|
1117.6
|
1676.4
|
695.5
|
1117.6
|
462.9
|
|
46
|
1168.4
|
1752.6
|
726.9
|
--
|
--
|
|
48
|
1219.2
|
1828.8
|
759
|
1219.2
|
505
|
|
52
|
1320.8
|
--
|
--
|
1320.8
|
547.1
|
|
54
|
1371.6
|
2057.4
|
852.2
|
1371.6
|
568.1
|
|
56
|
1422.4
|
2133.6
|
883.8
|
1422.4
|
589.2
|
|
60
|
1524
|
2286
|
946.9
|
1524
|
631.3
|
|
66
|
1676.4
|
2514.6
|
1041.6
|
--
|
--
|
|
68
|
1727
|
2591
|
1073
|
1727
|
--
|
|
72
|
1829
|
2743
|
1137
|
1829
|
--
|
|
76
|
1930
|
2896
|
1199
|
1930
|
--
|
|
80
|
2032
|
3048
|
1263
|
2032
|
Elbow Manufacturing Process
Steel Pipe Elbow Manufacturing Standard
First: Hot push the material. The pusher is a bullhorn-shaped core head or core rod. The core rod changes from thin to thick. The elbow push process is a process of expanding the diameter and bending. There is a support at the back. The pipe section is inserted into the core rod. There is a arch frame at the back to fix the core rod. There is a trolley in the middle. Some of the trolleys are driven by hydraulic pressure, and some are driven by mechanical transmission, that is, screw transmission. Then push the trolley forward, and the trolley pushes the pipe forward along the core rod. There is an induction coil outside the core rod to heat the pipe. After heating, the trolley pushes the pipe down, and one is processed. ,
Second: The finishing process is carried out below. After shot peening, the iron oxide scale on the inner and outer surfaces of the elbow is removed, and the two ends are grooved for welding.
Third: First select the specifications and propose the pipe material. For example, for a 90° elbow, the curvature can be used to calculate how long the material can be used to process a 90° elbow, and then cut it according to the length.
Fourth: After pushing, the elbow should be shaped in this hot state, because some elbows will be twisted if they are not handled properly, which is not allowed. In addition, after pushing the head, the front end is generally large in outer diameter, and it needs to be shaped through a shaping die. The shaping die is actually a press machine, which requires a set of molds, two semicircular arcs, one on the upper and lower sides. The outer diameter after shaping reaches the size of the finished product.
Then after inspection, steel lettering, spray painting, packaging and other processes, it can be shipped.
Key points for purchasing steel pipe elbows
When purchasing steel pipe elbows, the following points need special attention:
Matching of fluid flow rate and elbow type: For occasions with high flow rate requirements, long radius elbows should be preferred to reduce pressure drop and turbulence; while in places with limited space, short radius elbows are more suitable.
Material selection: According to the corrosion resistance, strength and temperature requirements required by the pipeline system, select appropriate elbow materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel or alloy steel.
Balance between initial cost and long-term performance: Although the initial cost of long radius elbows is higher, they can effectively reduce fluid friction and pressure drop and reduce energy consumption; short radius elbows are suitable for occasions with low budgets and low flow rate requirements.
Summary
Steel pipe
elbows play a vital role in pipeline systems. Different materials, angles, radii and connection methods determine the specific application scenarios of elbows. By selecting the appropriate elbow type and specifications, enterprises can improve the operating efficiency of pipeline systems and reduce maintenance costs, thereby ensuring smooth and safe fluid transportation. The manufacturing process of the elbow also directly affects the quality of the product. Standardized production processes and strict compliance with standards ensure the reliability and durability of steel pipe elbows. When purchasing elbows, users should choose the most suitable product type based on actual needs and project characteristics.
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