304 Stainless Steel 90° Long Radius Butt Weld Elbow

304 Stainless Steel 90° Long Radius Butt Weld Elbow

The Versatile Standard for Industrial Piping

Our 304 Stainless Steel 90° Long Radius Butt Weld Elbow is the industry standard for creating durable, permanent directional changes in piping systems. Manufactured from high-quality ASTM A403 WP304 stainless steel, this fitting combines excellent corrosion resistance with the structural integrity of a welded joint.

Designed with a Long Radius (LR) curvature, it ensures a smooth flow path that minimizes pressure drop and turbulence, making it the ideal choice for a vast array of industrial, commercial, and sanitary applications where reliability and hygiene are essential.

Key Features & Benefits

• Excellent Corrosion Resistance: The 304 alloy (18% Chromium, 8% Nickel) provides robust protection against oxidation and a wide range of organic chemicals, making it suitable for most general industrial environments.

• Smooth Flow Dynamics: The Long Radius (1.5D) design creates a gentle 90-degree turn, significantly reducing friction loss and flow turbulence compared to short-radius elbows. This protects downstream equipment and improves system efficiency.

• Permanent & Leak-Proof Connection: The butt weld design fuses the fitting to the pipe, creating a strong, continuous metal structure that eliminates the leak paths associated with threaded or flanged connections.

• Hygienic & Sanitary: The smooth, non-porous surface of stainless steel prevents bacterial buildup and allows for easy cleaning, meeting the strict requirements of the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries.

• High Strength & Durability: Offers excellent mechanical properties, including high tensile strength and impact resistance, capable of withstanding high pressures and temperatures.

Technical Specifications

• Material Grade: ASTM A403 WP304 / ASME SA403 WP304

• Chemical Composition:

• Chromium (Cr): 18.0 – 20.0%

• Nickel (Ni): 8.0 – 11.0%

• Carbon (C): ≤ 0.08%

• Size Range: 1/2" to 48" (DN15 to DN1200)

• Wall Thickness: SCH 5S, 10S, 40S, 80S, 160S, XXS

• Radius: Long Radius (LR) = 1.5 x Nominal Pipe Size (Standard)

• Angle: 90 Degrees

• Connection Type: Butt Weld (Beveled Ends prepared for welding)

• Standards:

• Dimensions: ASME B16.9 (Factory-made Wrought Fittings)

• Material: ASTM A403 / ASME SA403

Applications

• Food & Beverage: Brewing, dairy processing, and food packaging lines.

• Chemical & Petrochemical: Transport of mild acids, solvents, and process water.

• Pharmaceuticals: High-purity water systems and sanitary processing lines.

• Architecture & Construction: Exposed piping, handrails, and structural elements.

• Water Treatment: General water supply and distribution systems.

Manufacturing & Quality Assurance

• Forming Process: Manufactured using hot push forming or cold forming techniques to ensure a uniform grain structure and precise dimensions.

• Weld Integrity: For welded elbows, automated welding processes (ERW/SAW) are used to create a high-strength, consistent seam.

• Heat Treatment: Solution annealing is performed to relieve internal stresses and restore the corrosion-resistant properties of the material.

• Testing:

• Dimensional Inspection: Verifying angles, radii, and end-beveling for perfect fit-up.

• Chemical Analysis: Positive Material Identification (PMI) to confirm 304 composition.

• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Radiography (RT) or Ultrasonic Testing (UT) to ensure internal soundness.

• Surface Finish: Typically pickled and passivated to remove contaminants and enhance the protective oxide layer.

Packaging

To prevent surface damage and contamination, these elbows are packed in wooden crates or plywood boxes with soft separators (foam or paper). Each fitting is clearly marked with the grade ("304"), size, schedule, and heat number for full traceability.