Carbon Steel Elbow — 90 Degree Long Radius Elbow | Factory Direct | Huaxia-Steel
Carbon steel elbow is a butt-weld pipe fitting that changes the direction of a pipe run by 90 degrees (or other angle). The long radius (LR) elbow has a center-to-end (C-C) dimension equal to 1.5 times the nominal pipe size (1.5D), making it the standard choice for low-pressure-drop, smooth-flow piping systems in oil & gas, power, chemical, and HVAC service.
Huaxia-Steel supplies carbon steel 90 degree LR elbow in ASTM A234 / ASME B16.9 dimensions, in WPB, WPC, and WPHY grades. Mills are ASME B16.9 certified and we deliver globally with full EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates.
Product Overview
Our 90 degree LR elbow is hot-formed by pushing a steel pipe through a die over a mandrel. Seamless elbows are produced from seamless pipe; welded elbows are produced from ERW pipe with the longitudinal weld intact. The product is normalized after forming to restore mechanical properties. Each elbow is dimensionally inspected, hydrostatically tested, and marked before shipment.
- Standard: ASME B16.9, ASME B16.11 (socket-weld), MSS SP-75, EN 10253-2.
- Material grades: ASTM A234 WPB / WPC, WPHY-42 / -52 / -60 / -65, ASTM A106 Gr.B, ASTM A53 Gr.B.
- Angle: 90 degrees LR (1.5D); 45 degrees LR available on order; 180 degree return bends available.
- Type: Seamless or welded; mandrel-formed or cold-formed.
- End finish: Butt-weld beveled to ASME B16.25; optional square cut or threaded.
- Surface: Black (mill scale), sand-blasted, hot-dip galvanized (per ASTM A153), or anti-rust varnish.
Specification and Size Range
| Parameter | Range |
|---|---|
| NPS (Nominal Pipe Size) | 1/2″ to 48″ (DN 15 to DN 1200) |
| Wall thickness | SCH 10, SCH 20, SCH 40 (Std), SCH 80 (XS), SCH 120, SCH 160, XXS |
| Center-to-face (LR = 1.5D) | Per ASME B16.9, equal to 1.5 x NPS in inches |
| Center-to-face tolerance | +/- 2 mm for NPS ≤ 4; +/- 3 mm for NPS 6-12; +/- 5 mm above |
| Bore diameter tolerance | +/- 1% of nominal per ASME B16.9 |
| Out-of-roundness | +/- 1% for ≤ NPS 12; +/- 2% for ≥ NPS 14 |
| Bevel angle (for butt-weld end) | 37.5 degrees +/- 2.5 degrees per ASME B16.25 |
Weight Reference Table (90 Degree LR Elbow, SCH 40)
| NPS | OD (mm) | Wall (mm) | C-C (1.5D, mm) | Approx. weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 60.3 | 3.91 | 76 | 0.5-0.9 |
| 3 | 88.9 | 5.49 | 114 | 1.6-2.3 |
| 4 | 114.3 | 6.02 | 152 | 3.0-4.2 |
| 6 | 168.3 | 7.11 | 229 | 8.5-11 |
| 8 | 219.1 | 8.18 | 305 | 17-22 |
| 10 | 273.0 | 9.27 | 381 | 29-37 |
| 12 | 323.8 | 10.31 | 457 | 45-58 |
| 14 | 355.6 | 11.13 | 533 | 62-80 |
| 16 | 406.4 | 12.70 | 610 | 95-122 |
| 18 | 457.0 | 14.27 | 686 | 140-180 |
| 20 | 508.0 | 15.09 | 762 | 200-260 |
| 24 | 609.6 | 17.48 | 914 | 340-440 |
For SCH 80 or thicker walls, weight increases proportionally. Heavier elbows are produced by hot extrusion, then machined and beveled.
Available Grades and Materials
| Grade | Standard | Carbon % | Yield (min, MPa) | Typical Service |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPB | ASTM A234 | 0.30 max | 240 | High temperature, moderate pressure |
| WPC | ASTM A234 | 0.35 max | 275 | Higher strength at low temperature |
| WPHY-42 | ASTM A860 | 0.30 max | 290 | High-yield pipeline fittings |
| WPHY-52 | ASTM A860 | 0.30 max | 360 | Oil & gas transmission |
| WPHY-60 | ASTM A860 | 0.30 max | 415 | Higher pressure pipelines |
| WPHY-65 | ASTM A860 | 0.30 max | 450 | High-pressure pipelines |
| WP11 CL2 | ASTM A234 | 0.15-0.30 (C-Mo) | 205 | Power plant, high temperature |
| A106 Gr.B | ASTM A106 | 0.30 max | 240 | High-temperature service seamless elbow |
Manufacturing Standards
- ASME B16.9 – Factory-Made Wrought Butt-Welding Fittings (covers 90 LR dimension).
- ASME B16.25 – Butt-Welding Ends (bevel geometry).
- ASTM A234 – Wrought Carbon and Alloy Steel Fittings for Moderate and High-Temperature Service.
- ASTM A860 – Wrought High-Strength Low-Alloy Butt-Welding Fittings.
- MSS SP-75 – High-Strength Butt-Welding Fittings for High-Pressure Gas Transmission.
- EN 10253-2 – Butt-Welding Pipe Fittings of Wrought Carbon and Alloy Steel.
- ASME B31.3 – Process Piping (for application).
Long Radius (LR) vs Short Radius (SR) Comparison
| Property | Long Radius (LR) | Short Radius (SR) |
|---|---|---|
| Center-to-face | 1.5D | 1.0D |
| Pressure drop | Lower (smoother flow) | Higher (more turbulence) |
| Use | Standard for process, oil & gas, chemical | Tight spaces, low-pressure drain lines |
| Cost | Slightly higher | Slightly lower |
| Code acceptance | ASME B16.9 default | Approved where space-restricted |
| Common in | Long pipelines, processing plants | Drain lines, instrument connections |
Application Areas
- Oil & gas gathering and transmission lines.
- Refinery process piping.
- Petrochemical plants.
- Power plant – boiler feed, condensate, cooling water systems.
- Chemical and fertilizer plants.
- Onshore and offshore platform piping.
- District heating and cooling distribution.
- Water treatment and desalination plants.
- HVAC main risers.
- Marine piping systems.
Quality Assurance and Testing
- Per-heat chemical analysis (spectrometer).
- Tensile test, yield, elongation per ASTM A370 on each heat.
- Hardness test on delivery condition.
- Hydrostatic test: 1.5 x design pressure per ASTM A234 Section 11.
- Dimensional check: OD, wall, C-C, bevel angle, root face.
- Visual inspection on inner and outer surfaces.
- NDE: MT or UT on welded elbows at the seam; UT on seamless elbows for inclusions/laminations.
- MTC to EN 10204 3.1 mandatory; 3.2 with third-party witness.
- ISO 9001 quality system; PED 2014/68/EU CE marking available.
Packaging and Shipping
- Plain (black) elbows wrapped in VCI paper or anti-rust plastic, then wooden crate.
- Galvanized elbows: end caps fitted, plastic wrapped, wooden case.
- Pieces tagged with grade, size, schedule, heat number, and standard.
- Bulk pack for large elbows above NPS 24 (wooden pallet).
- Standard 20′ container can hold 6-18 tons of LR elbows depending on size.
- 40′ container can hold 14-28 tons depending on size.
- Container loading supervised and documented on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between 90 LR and 90 SR elbow?
The 90 LR (long radius) has a center-to-face dimension equal to 1.5 times the nominal pipe size. The 90 SR (short radius) is equal to 1.0D, creating a tighter bend. LR is the standard for low-pressure-drop service.
Q2: What is the standard C-C dimension for a 6″ 90 LR elbow?
For NPS 6 LR, C-C = 1.5 x 6 inches = 9 inches = 229 mm. For NPS 12 LR, C-C = 457 mm.
Q3: Are LR elbows available in 45 degree angle?
Yes. 45 degree LR elbows have a C-C dimension equal to 0.75D (half of 1.5D). 180 degree return bends (3D) are also common for boiler and heat exchanger piping.
Q4: Is hot-dip galvanizing available?
Yes. ASTM A153 galvanizing is applied after forming and beveling. Specify “HDG” in your RFQ. Note that galvanizing adds 2-4 weeks to lead time and may slightly change dimensional tolerance due to coating buildup.
Q5: Can you supply elbows in special alloy?
Yes. WP11 CL2 (1.25Cr-0.5Mo), WP22 CL2 (2.25Cr-1Mo), WP91 (9Cr-1Mo-V), and other alloy grades are available for high-temperature service.
Q6: Is third-party inspection available?
Yes. SGS, BV, Intertek, TUV, ABS, DNV, and Lloyd’s inspection witnesses production and sign release notes on request.
Q7: What is the lead time for 50 pieces of NPS 8 SCH 40 WPB LR?
Stock sizes ship in 7-15 days. Custom sizes and schedule combinations take 20-40 days.
Conclusion
Carbon steel 90 degree LR elbow is the standard fitting for changing direction in process, pipeline, and plant piping. Selecting the right grade (WPB, WPC, WPHY series), schedule, and finish ensures the fitting matches your pressure, temperature, and corrosion requirements. Whether for refinery service, pipeline transmission, or HVAC distribution, LR elbows with full EN 10204 3.1 documentation are readily available.
Huaxia-Steel supplies ASTM A234 / ASME B16.9 carbon steel 90 LR elbows in black and galvanized finishes, with WPB, WPC, and WPHY grades. Send your specification, quantity, and destination for a quotation.
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