An elbow is specified by four things: nominal pipe size, angle, radius and schedule. The schedule is not decoration — a butt weld fitting is a pressure boundary, and its wall thickness must match the connecting pipe so the bore stays flush and the weld prep lines up. Our elbows are formed from pipe and finished with bevelled ends ready for the welder; the construction of a specific execution is confirmed at enquiry.
Long radius elbows (centre-to-end dimension 1.5 times the nominal size) are the default for process piping: lower pressure drop, less turbulence, room for pigging on larger lines. Short radius elbows (1.0 times nominal size) are for tight hook-ups where the long radius will not fit. Both are covered in depth in our long radius vs short radius guide.
| Item | Range / Options |
|---|---|
| Types | 90 deg and 45 deg elbows; long radius (1.5D) and short radius (1D) — executions per material on the subpages |
| Standards | ASME B16.9 on the catalogue executions whose listings name it (the WP304L 90 deg LR elbow and the 1 inch Sch 40 WPB LR elbow); further standards confirmed per product at enquiry |
| Catalogue executions | 90 deg LR elbow, A403 WP304L, Sch 10S; A234 WPB: 90 deg LR in Sch 40, 45 deg SR in STD, 90 deg SR in XS |
| Size range | By size and construction against your enquiry — confirmed per product before order |
| Wall thickness | Confirmed per product at enquiry — state NPS plus schedule, or the exact wall, on the enquiry; the wall of a specific execution is assessed against the connecting pipe before order |
| Materials | Carbon steel A234 WPB and stainless A403 WP304L in the executions above; further grades confirmed per product at enquiry |
Formed From Pipe, Finished to the Bevel
Elbows are formed from pipe on the forming presses in our works and finished to the bevel. Whether a given execution is hot-formed or cold-formed, and which sizing, inspection and surface-treatment steps apply to it, are confirmed for the specific product at enquiry. Forming from the same pipe grades that the fitting will be welded to keeps chemistry and mechanical properties consistent across the joint — the point of specifying a fitting grade such as A234 WPB alongside a pipe grade such as ASTM A106.
Choosing the Grade
Carbon steel A234 WPB covers the great majority of process and utility lines. Stainless A403 grades take over where corrosion or cleanliness rules carbon out — see the dedicated stainless steel elbow and carbon steel elbow pages.
Where Butt Weld Elbows Are Used
Refinery and petrochemical units, power plant steam and feedwater lines, shipboard systems, water and gas distribution, and general industrial piping — anywhere a welded, leak-tight, full-bore change of direction is needed and the joint must be as strong as the pipe itself.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I order long radius or short radius elbows?
Long radius (1.5D) is the standard choice and the one most specifications default to: it gives lower pressure drop and smoother flow. Short radius (1D) is used where space is genuinely tight, such as pump hook-ups and compact skids. If your isometric does not say, assume long radius and confirm with us.
Can you supply elbows in the same schedule as my pipe?
State the pipe NPS and schedule on your enquiry, and the schedule will be confirmed for the specific product before order — it is not confirmed in advance for a schedule you have not stated. The catalogue executions on this page are the A234 WPB elbows in Sch 40, STD and XS and the A403 WP304L elbow in Sch 10S. If the pipe is specified by an exact wall thickness outside the schedule series, state the thickness in millimetres and it will be assessed for the specific product before order.
What is the MOQ and lead time for elbows?
Both depend on size, grade and quantity and are confirmed in the quotation for your specification. Send your list of sizes and quantities for a firm answer with the price.
Related Products
Send Your Specification
Tell us the size, schedule or pressure class, material grade and quantity for the butt weld elbows you need. MOQ and lead time are confirmed in the quotation for your exact specification.