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How to get high quality pipe bend?

2018-01-04

 Industry News
 News

What is a pipe bend?

Pipe bend is a type of pipe fitting product for any offset or change of direction in the piping
systems. It signifies that there is a “bend” i.e, a change in direction of the piping (usually
for some specific reason) – but it lacks specific, engineering definition as to direction and
degree. Bends are usually made by using a bending machine (hot bending and cold
bending) on site and suited for a specific need. Use of pipe bends are economic as it
reduces number of expensive fittings.

Size range of pipe bend

The bend is used to change the direction of run of pipe.it advantage is can matach long
distance transition requirements,so it is commonly that bends dimension according to
customer design.

usually,the bends consist of 3D,5D,7D even 12D series.carbon steel bend

CONSTANTS FOR PIPE BENDS:

Formula: L = R x B (L = Length of pipe required, R = Radius of bend, B = Constant from

table used to find “L”, L =30 x 1.5705 =47.115 in.or 47-1/8″)
Example: Find the length of pipe required to make a 90 bend with a radius of 30″

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Outside Diameter at Bevel Center to End

Nominal pipe D1 D2
DN size C M

Series A Series B Series A Series B

20×15 26.9 25 21.3 18 29 29

25×20 33.7 32 26.9 25 38 38

25×15 33.7 32 21.3 18 38 38

32×25 42.4 38 33.7 32 48 48

32×20 42.4 38 26.9 25 48 48
32×15 42.4 38 21.3 18 48 48

40×32 48.3 45 42.4 38 57 57

40×25 48.3 45 33.7 32 57 57
40×20 48.3 45 26.7 25 57 57
40×15 48.3 45 21.3 18 57 57

50×40 60.3 57 48.3 45 64 60

50×32 60.3 57 42.4 38 64 57
50×25 60.3 57 33.7 32 64 51
50×20 60.3 57 26.9 25 64 44

65×50 76.1(73) 76 60.3 57 76 70

65×40 76.1(73) 76 48.3 45 76 67
65×32 76.1(73) 76 42.4 38 76 64
65×25 76.1(73) 76 33.7 32 76 57

80×65 88.9 89 76.1(73) 76 86 83

80×50 88.9 89 60.3 57 86 76
80×40 88.9 89 48.3 45 86 73
80×32 88.9 89 42.4 38 86 70

90×80 101.6 – 88.9 – 95 92

90×65 101.6 – 76.1(73) – 95 89
90×50 101.6 – 60.3 – 95 83
90×40 101.6 – 48.3 – 95 79

100×90 114.3 – 101.6 – 105 102

100×80 114.3 108 88.9 89 105 98
100×65 114.3 108 76.1(73) 76 105 95
100×50 114.3 108 60.3 57 105 89
100×40 114.3 108 48.3 45 105 86

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125×100 133 114.3 108 124 117

139.7
125×90 – 101.6 – 124 114
139.7
125×80 133 88.9 89 124 111
139.7
125×65 133 76.1(73) 76 124 108
139.7
125×50 133 60.3 57 124 105
150×125 168.3 159 139.7 133 143 137
150×100 168.3 159 114.3 108 143 130
150×90 168.3 – 101.6 – 143 127
150×80 168.3 159 88.9 89 143 124
150×65 168.3 159 76.1(73) 76 143 121

200×150 219.1 219 168.3 159 178 168

200×125 219.1 219 139.7 133 178 162
200×100 219.1 219 114.3 108 178 156
200×90 219.1 – 101.6 – 178 152

200×200 273.0 273 219.1 219 216 208

200×150 273.0 273 168.3 159 216 194
200×125 273.0 273 139.7 133 216 191
200×100 273.0 273 114.3 108 216 184

300×250 323.9 325 273.0 273 254 241

300×200 323.9 325 219.1 219 254 229
300×150 323.9 325 168.3 159 254 219

300×125 323.9 325 139.7 133 254 216

350×300 355.6 377 323.9 325 279 270

350×250 355.6 377 273.0 273 279 257
350×200 355.6 377 219.1 219 279 248
350×150 355.6 377 168.3 159 279 238
400×350 406.4 426 355.6 377 305 305
400×300 406.4 426 323.9 325 305 295
400×250 406.4 426 273.0 273 305 283
400×200 406.4 426 219.1 219 305 273
400×150 406.4 426 168.3 159 305 264
450×400 457.2 478 406.4 426 343 330
450×350 457.2 478 355.6 377 343 330
450×300 457.2 478 323.9 325 343 321
450×250 457.2 478 273.0 273 343 308
450×200 457.2 478 219.1 219 343 298
500×450 508.0 529 457.2 478 381 368
500×100 508.0 529 406.4 426 381 356
500×350 508.0 529 355.6 377 381 356
500×300 508.0 529 323.9 325 381 346
500×250 508.0 529 273.0 273 381 333

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500×200 508.0 529 219.1 219 381 324

550×500 559 – 508 – 419 406

550×450 559 – 457 – 419 394
550×400 559 – 406 – 419 381

600×550 610 – 559 – 432 432

600×550 610 630 508 530 432 432
600×450 610 630 457 480 432 419

650×600 660 – 610 – 495 483

650×550 660 – 559 – 495 470
650×500 660 – 508 – 495 457

700×650 711 – 660 – 521 521

700×600 711 720 610 630 521 508
700×550 711 – 559 – 521 495

750×700 762 – 711 – 559 546

750×650 762 – 660 – 559 546
750×600 762 – 610 – 559 533

800×750 813 – 762 – 597 584

800×700 813 820 711 720 597 572
800×650 813 – 660 – 597 572

850×800 864 – 813 – 635 622

850×750 864 – 762 – 635 610
850×700 864 – 711 – 635 597

900×850 914 – 864 – 673 660

900×800 914 920 813 820 673 648
900×750 914 – 762 – 673 635

950×900 965 – 914 – 711 711

950×850 965 – 864 – 711 698
950×800 965 – 813 – 711 686

1000×950 1016 – 965 – 749 749

1000×900 1016 1020 914 920 749 737
1000×8500 1016 – 864 – 749 724

1000×1000 1067 – 1016 – 762 711

1050×950 1067 – 965 – 762 711
1050×900 1067 – 914 – 762 711

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1100×1050 1118 – 1067 – 813 762

1100×1000 1118 1120 1016 1020 813 749
1100×950 1118 – 965 – 813 737

1150×1100 1168 – 1118 – 851 800

1150×1050 1168 – 1067 – 851 787
1150×1000 1168 – 1016 – 851 775

1200×1150 1220 – 1168 – 889 838

1200×1100 1220 1220 1118 1120 889 838
1200×1050 1220 – 1067 – 889 813

Outside Diameter at Bevel Center to End

Nominal pipe size
D
C M
DN INCH Series A Series B

15 1/2 21.3 18 25

20 3/4 26.9 25 29

25 1 33.7 32 38

32 11/4 42.4 38 48

40 11/2 48.3 45 57

50 2 60.3 57 64

65 21/2 76.1(73) 76 76

80 3 88.9 89 86

90 31/2 101.6 ― 95

100 4 114.3 108 105

125 5 139.7 133 124

150 6 168.3 159 143

200 8 219.1 219 178

250 10 273.0 273 216

300 12 323.9 325 254

350 14 355.6 377 279

400 16 406.4 426 305

450 18 457.2 478 343

500 20 508.0 529 381

550 22 559 ― 419

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600 24 610 630 432

650 26 660 ― 495

700 28 711 720 521

750 30 762 ― 559

800 32 813 820 597

850 34 864 ― 635

900 36 914 920 673

950 38 965 ― 711

1000 40 1016 1020 749

1050 42 1067 ― 762 711

1100 44 1118 1120 813 762

1150 46 1168 ― 851 800

1200 48 1220 1220 889 838

Type of Pipe bend

A pipe bend means a piece of pipe which are bent to some angle to join two pipings. they
can be nearly any bending radius and angles . Pipe bends are commonly produced on
site to meet a specific need by hot induction bending or cold bending. A elbow means a
specific pipe bend as per the standard ANSI/ASME B16.9 (or EN 10253, or other pipe
fittings standards). Commonly the elbows have a bending radius of 1.5D or 1D (Here the
D means nominal diameter of this bend) ,which are called “Long Radius elbow (LR elbow)”
or “Short Radius elbow(SR elbow)” . and the angle of an elbow is 45 degree or 90 degree
usually, some times there are also custom-designed elbows which are 30 degree,60
degree ,180 degree or other angles.

The pipe bends should be as per the standard of ANSI/ASME B16.49 which did not
specific the bending radius and angle , the regular pipe bend radius are 2.5D, 3D ,5D ,7D
or 8D , but it can be any other bending radius according to the design need, and bending
angle can be in any degree, 5 ,10 ,15, 90 degree or any other. People said “All bends are
elbows but all elbows are not bend”, it is not true . Actually “All elbows are pipe bends but
not all bends are elbows” is more reasonable.

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 3D pipe bend : A 3D pipe
bend is a pipe bend that
the bend radius is 3 times
the pipe outside diameter.
 5D pipe bend : The
RADIUS of a 5D pipe
bend is actually what is 5
times the nominal
diameter. So if you had a
10″ diameter pipe, the
radius of the centerline of
the bend would be 50
inches.
 7D pipe bend
 12D pipe bend
 180 Degree pipe bend
Pipe bend, Bend pipe, Pipe bending, ANSI, ISO, JIS and DIN Standards, Measures 1/2 to
48 Inches.
Pattern
Nominal size
Wall thickness
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 Small size pipe bend: Small
size pipe bending is a pipe
bend that the bend radius is
3 times the pipe outside
diameter.
 Large size pipe bend: The
large size pipe bending is
used to change the direction
of run of pipe.
 Butt-welded pipe bend
 Seamless pipe bend
 High pressure pipe bend: A
High pressure pipe bending
is a pipe bend that used in
high pressure application.
figure
1/2”-48” (DN15-DN1200)
2-100mm
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Angle Degree15,20,45,60,90,135,180
Type 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 45, 90 and 180D
MATERIAL

They are manufactured utilizing higher grade raw material, advanced machines and
technologies.

 Carbon steel:
o SA234 WPB, SA234 WPC,SA42 WPL6, SA42 WPL3
o WP1. MSS-SP75, WPHY,WPHY 46,WPHY 52
o WPHY 56,WPHY 60,WPHY 65, WPHY 70
o DIN 1629 St37, RST37.2 St52, STPG38
 Stainless:
o ASTM/ASME SA403 304,304L ,316, 316L, WP304L, 3 WP316 WP347
(H) ,WP317 (L),WP321.
o DIN 1.4301, 1.4306, 1.4401, 1.4571
o JIS SUS304,SUS304, SUS304L, SUS316, SUS316
 Alloy:
o ASTM/ASME SA234 WP12, WP11,WP22, WP5, WP9, WP91, ASTM
B361 GR.3003-6061, ASTM B366 UNS
o N04400,N08800, N08825 N1001-N10276-N10665, WPT2-WPT12
o ASTM 182 F1, F5, F6, F7, F9, F11, F12, F22, F51, 16MnR Cr5Mo
o 12Cr1MoV 10CrMo910 15CrMo 12Cr2Mo1, St45.8

Elbows Or Pipe Bends Manufacturing Process:

Mandrel method (Hot Forming)

 One of the most common Pipe Fittings Manufacturing Process for manufacturing
Elbows Or Pipe Bends from the pipe is mandrel method which is kind of hot
forming methods.
 In this method, the pipe is cut in pieces and push with the help of hydraulic ram. It
is pushed over a die called “mandrel” which allows the pipe to expand and bend
simultaneously.
 This method can be used to manufacture a wide range of the diameter
of elbows or pipe bends

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 ELBOWS Or Pipe Bends Mandrel method

Extrusion Method

In cold Extrusion method, a pipe with the same diameter as finished product is pushed
through a die and formed into its desired shape. Usually applied to stainless steel small to
medium sizes elbows or pipe bends.

Extrusion Method

UO Method
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UO method is used to manufacture medium size of the elbow, tee, and reducers. The
plate is cut out into a specially designed shape, it is formed first into a U-shape using a die
and then into an O-shape or tubular form using another die, that is why this method is
known as UO method. Once the fittings formed in tumbler shaped it is welded from inside
and outside of the closing seam. A cut plate is 1st from in U shape and then in O shape.

UO Method

Hot Forming Method

In a Hot Forming Die Bending method, a Pipe is heated to forming temperature & formed
in the die with the specific shape, this process may be repeated as needed to obtain the
required shape, size and wall thickness. Usually applied to thick-wall items that cannot be
bent on a mandrel die.

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Hot Forming method for elbow or pipe bend Manufacturing

How to Calculate a Pipe Bend

Whether you are bending pipe for running electrical conduit or a metal project, calculating
the bend for the start and end point can be an important factor. While there are different
types of pipe benders on the market, they all share a common identification for the
operation. Identified on all pipe benders is the size of pipe the unit will bend along with a
number called the “take up.” The take up measurement is used for adding or deducting an
allowance in the overall length of the bend. By following a basic process, you can
calculate pipe bends regardless of the type of bender or the diameter of pipe.

Identify the take up measurement that is located on the pipe-bending shoe itself. This is
the addition or deduction of measurement to the length of pipe from the front mark on the
bending shoe. Also be aware that there is a second center-of-bend mark located
approximately in the center of the bending shoe. Also located along the running length of
the shoe are angle markings with lines. These numbers and lines correspond to actual
angles that can be bent into the pipe by aligning the pipe with the angled line marked on
the outside of the shoe.

Bend a 90-degree angle on a ½-diameter pipe with a ½-inch bender. The process will
remain the same for different sized pipes and benders, but only the take up measurement
will be different. Identified on the shoe for the ½-inch pipe may be the wording “stub take

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up 5 inches from arrow or line.” The 5 inches is the amount you will deduct from the
overall length of the 90-degree bend measurement.

Use the measuring tape and pencil and place a mark at 12 inches from the end of the pipe.
This will be the distance from the bend to the end of the pipe. By using the deduction
measurement on the shoe, measure back 5 inches from the 12-inch mark and make a
solid pencil line.

Lay the pipe on a level surface and insert the pipe into the bender. The solid pencil mark
should be placed 5 inches back from the 12-inch mark and should be aligned with the
front mark or arrow on the bending shoe. Pull back on the handle in a smooth motion until
the pipe sits at a 90-degree position to the level surface. Place the small level against the
upright portion of the pipe and check for level. This will give you a perfect 90-degree bend.
Check the height of the overall bend by placing the end of the tape measure on the level
base and measure the end of the pipe. It should read 12 inches exactly.

Practice with other angled bends by using the deduction measurement and the center of
the bend mark on the shoe. All pipe benders may have their own quirks and slight
measurement adjustments that will have to be done. The actual end result also depends
on how well and secure you hold the pipe in the bender, prior to the first bend you place
on the pipe.

What is an elbow?

An elbow, on the other hand, is a specific, standard, engineered bend pre-fabricated as a

spool piece (based on ASME B 16.9) and designed to either be screwed, flanged, or
welded to the piping it is associated with. An elbow can be 45 degree or 90 degree. There
can also be custom-designed elbows, although most are catagorized as either “short
radius” or long radius”.
In short “All bends are elbows but all elbows are not bend”

Whenever the term elbow is used, it must also carry the qualifiers of type (45 or 90 degree)
and radius (short or long) – besides the nominal size.

Elbows can change direction to any angle as per requirement. An elbow angle can be
defined as the angle by which the flow direction deviates from its original flowing direction
(See Fig.1 below).Even though An elbow angle can be anything greater than 0 but less or
equal to 90°But still a change in direction greater than 90°at a single point is not desirable.
Normally, a 45°and a 90°elbow combinedly used while making piping layouts for such
situations.
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Fig.1 A typical elbow with elbow angle (phi)

Elbow angle can be easily calculated using simple geometrical technique of mathematics.
Lets give an example for you. Refer to Fig.2. Pipe direction is changing at point A with the
help of an elbow and again the direction is changing at the point G using another elbow.

Fig.2 Example figure for elbow angle calculation

In order to find out the elbow angle at A, it is necessary to consider a plane which contains
the arms of the elbow. If there had been no change in direction at point A, the pipe would
have moved along line AD but pipe is moving along line AG. Plane AFGD contains lines
AD and AG and elbow angle (phi) is marked which denotes the angle by which the flow is
deviating from its original direction.
Considering right angle triangle AGD, tan(phi) = √( x2 + z2)/y
Similarly elbow angle at G is given by : tan (phi1)=√ (y2 +z2)/x
Elbow Radius:

Elbows or bends are available in various radii for a smooth change in direction which are
expressed in terms of pipe nominal size expressed in inches. Elbows or bends are
available in three radii,
a. Long radius elbows (Radius = 1.5D): used most frequently where there is a need to
keep the frictional fluid pressure loss down to a minimum, there is ample space and
volume to allow for a wider turn and generate less pressure drop.
b. Long radius elbows (Radius > 1.5D): Used sometimes for specific applications for
transporting high viscous fluids likes slurry, low polymer etc. For radius more than 1.5D
pipe bends are usually used and these can be made to any radius.However, 3D & 5D pipe
bends are most commonly used

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b. Short radius elbows (Radius = 1.0D): to be used only in locations where space does not
permit use of long radies elbow and there is a need to reduce the cost of elbows. In
jacketed piping the short radius elbow is used for the core pipe.
Here D is nominal pipe size in inches.
There are three major parameters which dictates the radius selection for elbow. Space
availability, cost and pressure drop.
Pipe bends are preferred where pressure drop is of a major consideration.
Use of short radius elbows should be avoided as far as possible due to abrupt change in
direction causing high pressure drop.
Minimum thickness requirement:

Whether an elbow or bend is used the minimum thickness requirement from code must be
met. Code ASME B 31.3 provides equation for calculating minimum thickness required (t)
in finished form for a given internal design pressure (P) as shown below:

Fig.3: Code equation for minimum thickness requirement calculation

Here,

R1 = bend radius of welding elbow or pipe bend

D = outside diameter of pipe
W = weld joint strength reduction factor
Y = coefficient from Code Table 304.1.1
S = stress value for material from Table A-1 at maximum temperature
E = quality factor from Table A-1A or A-1B
Add any corrosion, erosion, mechanical allowances with this calculated value to get the
thickness required.
End Connections:

For connecting elbow/bend to pipe the following type of end connections are available

 Butt welded: Used alongwith large bore (>=2 inch) piping

 Socket welded: Used alongwith pipe size
 Screwed:
 Flanged:
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Butt welded Elbows:

 Pipe is connected to butt welded elbow as shown in Fig. 4 by having a

butt-welding joint.
 Butt welded fittings are supplied with bevel ends suitable for welding to pipe. It is
important to indicate the connected pipe thickness /schedule while ordering. All
edge preparations for butt welding should conform to ASME B16.25.
 Dimensions of butt welded elbows are as per ASME B16.9. This standard is
applicable for carbon steel & alloy steel butt weld fittings of NPS 1/2” through 48”.

Fig.4: A typical Butt-Welded Elbow

 Dimensions of stainless steel butt welded fittings are as per MSS-SP-43. Physical
dimensions for fittings are identical under ASME B16.9 and MSS-SP-43. It is
implied that the scope of ASME B16.9 deals primarily with the wall thicknesses
which are common to carbon and low alloy steel piping, whereas MSS-SP-43
deals specifically with schedule 5S & 10S in stainless steel piping.
 Dimensions for short radius elbows are as per ASME B16.28 in case of carbon
steel & low alloy steel and MSS-SP-59 for stainless steel.
 Butt welded fittings are usually used for sizes 2” & above. However, for smaller
sizes up to 1-1/2” on critical lines where use of socket welded joints is prohibited,
pipe bends are normally used. These bends are usually of 5D radius and made at
site by cold bending of pipe. Alternatively, butt welded elbows can be used in lieu
of pipe bends but usually smaller dia lines are field routed and it is not possible to
have the requirement known at initial stage of the project for procurement purpose.
So pipe bends are preferred. However, pipe bends do occupy more space and
particularly in pharmaceutical plants where major portion of piping is of small dia.
and layout is congested, butt welded elbows are preferred.
 Butt welded joints can be radiographed and hence preferred for all critical
services.
 Material standards as applicable to butt welded fittings are as follows:

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ASTM A234:

This specification covers wrought carbon steel & alloy steel fittings of seamless and
welded construction. Unless seamless or welded construction is specified in order, either
may be furnished at the option of the supplier. All welded construction fittings as per this
standard are supplied with 100% radiography. Under ASTM A234, several grades are
available depending upon chemical composition. Selection would depend upon pipe
material connected to these fittings.
Some of the grades available under this specification and corresponding connected pipe
material specification are listed below:

ASTM A403:

This specification covers two general classes, WP & CR, of wrought austenitic stainless
steel fittings of seamless and welded construction.
Class WP fittings are manufactured to the requirements of ASME B16.9 & ASME B16.28
and are subdivided into three subclasses as follows:
WP – SManufactured from seamless product by a seamless method of manufacture.
WP – W These fittings contain welds and all welds made by the fitting manufacturer
including starting pipe weld if the pipe was welded with the addition of filler material are
radiographed. However no radiography is done for the starting pipe weld if the pipe was
welded without the addition of filler material.
WP-WX These fittings contain welds and all welds whether made by the fitting
manufacturer or by the starting material manufacturer are radiographed.
Class CR fittings are manufactured to the requirements of MSS-SP-43 and do not require
non-destructive examination.
Under ASTM A403 several grades are available depending upon chemical composition.
Selection would depend upon pipe material connected to these fittings. Some of the
grades available under this specification and corresponding connected pipe material
specification are listed below:

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ASTM A420:

 This specification covers wrought carbon steel and alloy steel fittings of seamless
& welded construction intended for use at low temperatures. It covers four grades
WPL6, WPL9, WPL3 & WPL8 depending upon chemical composition. Fittings
WPL6 are impact tested at temp – 50°C, WPL9 at -75°C, WPL3 at -100°C and
WPL8 at -195°C temperature.
 The allowable pressure ratings for fittings may be calculated as for straight
seamless pipe in accordance with the rules established in the applicable section
of ASME B31.3.
 The pipe wall thickness and material type shall be that with which the fittings have
been ordered to be used, their identity on the fittings is in lieu of pressure rating
markings.

What is the difference between a Pipe Bend and an elbow?

The difference between them is as follows:

1. Bend is a generic term for any offset or change of direction in the piping. It is a
vague term that also includes elbows.
2. An elbow is an engineering term and they are classified as 90 deg or 45 deg, short
or long radius.
3. Elbows have industrial standards and have limitations to size, bend radius and
angle. The angles are usually 45 deg or 90 degrees. All others offsets are
classified as pipe bends.
4. Bends are generally made or fabricated as per the need of the piping; however
elbows are pre fabricated and standard, and are available off the shelf.
5. Bends are never sharp corners but elbows are. Pipe bending techniques have
constraint as to how much material thinning can be allowed to safely contain the
pressure of the fluid to be contained. As elbows are pre fabricated, cast or butt
welded, they can be sharp like right angles and return elbows which are 180
degrees.
6. Elbow is a standard fitting but bends are custom fabricated.
7. In bends as the pipe is bent and there is no welding involved, there is less pipe
friction and flow is smoother. In elbows, the welding can create some friction.
8. All elbows are bends but all bends are not elbows.
9. Bend has a larger radius then elbows.

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10. Generally the most basic difference is the radius of curvature. Elbows generally
have radius of curvature between one to twice the diameter of the pipe. Bends
have a radius of curvature more than twice the diameter.

Short Radius and Long Radius

Elbows are again classified as long radius or short radius elbows. The difference between
them is the length and curvature. A short radius elbow will be giving the piping a sharper
turn than a long radius elbow.

90 degree short radius elbow

1. In a long radius elbow the radius of curvature is 1.5 times the nominal diameter. In
a standard elbow the radius of curvature is 1.0 times the nominal diameter of the
pipe.
2. Long radius elbows give less frictional resistance to the fluid than the short
elbows.
3. Long radius elbows create lesser pressure drop than short radius elbows.
4. Short radius is less costly than long radius elbows.
5. The short radius elbows are used where there is scarcity of space.

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Credit: Wikimedia- 90 degree long radius elbow

In addition to this classification the elbows are 45 degrees, 90 degrees and 180 degrees
also called as a return elbow.

180-Degree Elbow

The 45 degrees elbow turns the fluid /piping at 45 degrees and so on.

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45 deg short radius elbow

Miter bends

Another type of bend is a Miter bend. A Miter bend is a bend which is made by cutting pipe
ends at an angle and joining the pipe ends. A true miter bend is a 90 degree bend made
by cutting two pipes at 45 degrees and joining them by welding. Similarly three pipes cut
at 22.5 degrees will give a 90 degree miter bend.

miter bend

In the next article we will discuss about various pipe fittings.

“All bends are elbows but all elbows are not bends.”

Infact, the pipe is bent to form an elbow.

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Elbows are pre-fabricated and are firm in design.

There are issues with bends since the tickness at the bend radius reduces as we bend the
pipe.

Sharp bends are normally called Elbows. Bends typically have a minimum bending radius
of 1.5 times pipe radius (R). If this bending radius is less than 1.5R, it is called Elbow.
Reference to any international / industry standard need to be traced. 1.5, 3 & 4.5 R are the
most common bending radii in industry.

An “elbow” and a “bend” are two different animals – as the terms are generally employed
in the process industry.

A BEND is the generic term for what is called in piping as an “offset” – a change in
direction of the piping. A bend is usually meant to mean nothing more than that there is a
“bend” – a change in direction of the piping (usually for some specific reason) – but it lacks
specific, engineering definition as to direction and degree. Bends are usually
custom-made (using a bending machine) on site and suited for a specific need.

An ELBOW, on the other hand, is a specific, standard, engineered bend pre-fabricated as

a spool piece and designed to either be screwed, flanged, or welded to the piping it is
associated with. An elbow can be 45Deg or 90Deg. There can also be custom-designed
elbows, although most are catagorized as either “short radius” or long radius”.

A bend can be an elbow; an elbow does not mean a bend. If you use the term elbow, it
should also carry the qualifiers of type (45 or 90Deg) and radius (short or long) – besides
the nominal size.

Additionally, if you are using tube and not pipe, there is a marked difference. As you can
bend tube for pressure applications you will get less interuption and turbulence in your
flow; this translates to less pressure drop than with fitted 90 or 45Degelbows.

Long radius elbow is used to change the direction of flow gradually, 90 degrees.

 Short radius elbow is used to change the direction of flow rapidly, 90 degrees.
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 45°elbow is used to change the flow only 45°.

 Return bends are used to change the direction of flow 180°.

Processing:

The physical difference between Long Radius and Short Radius Elbows is graphically
illustrated in the attached Workbook that I have put together for this thread.

The following is the criteria I use when deciding which to use:

Long Radius Elbows are used when:

 there is a need to keep the frictional fluid pressure loss down to a minimum;
 there is ample space and volume to allow for a wider turn and generate less
pressure drop;
 the fluid being transported is abrasive or has solids in it.

Short Radius Elbows are used when:

 there is a need to reduce the cost of elbows;

 there is a scarcity of space and volume to allow a Long Radius type.

Source: China Pipe Bend Manufacturer – Yaang pipe fitting Industry Co., Limited
(www.steeljrv.com)

(Yaang Pipe Industry is a leading manufacturer and supplier of nickel alloy and stainless
steel products, including Super Duplex Stainless Steel Flanges, Stainless Steel Flanges,
Stainless Steel Pipe Fittings, Stainless Steel Pipe. Yaang products are widely used in
Shipbuilding, Nuclear power, Marine engineering, Petroleum, Chemical, Mining, Sewage
treatment, Natural gas and Pressure vessels and other industries.)

If you want to have more information about the article or you want to share your opinion
with us, contact us at sales@steeljrv.com

Please notice that you might be interested in the other technical articles we’ve published:

• Tips for selecting expansion joints

• What is the difference between a steel pipe and a steel tube?

• Engineering Specification for Pressure Test of Piping System

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• How to choose a valve and valve end connection type

• How to test pipe fitting?

• Manufacturing process of cold rolled steel pipe

• Development trend of high pressure pipe fittings

• How to get high quality flanges

• How to get high quality pipe fittings

• How to get high quality bellow expansion joints

• How to get high quality alloy steel pipes

• HOW TO GET HIGH QUALITY STEEL PIPES

• WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LATERAL TEE AND TRUE WYE

• WHAT ARE OUTLET PIPE FITTINGS

• WHEN TO USE LAP JOINT FLANGE

• WHEN TO USE A SPECTACLE BLIND FLANGE

• HOW TO GET HIGH QUALITY BOILER TUBES

References:

 https://www.marineinsight.com/tech/pipeing/pipes-and-bends-an-essential-guide-f
or-second-engineers-part-2/
 http://www.whatispiping.com/piping-elbows-and-bends
 https://www.yaang.com
 https://hardhatengineer.com/pipe-fittings/pipe-fittings-manufacturing-process/

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