ASME B16.9 | 180° Long Radius & Short Radius Return Bends | Butt-Welding Pipe Fittings
Elite 180° Buttweld Return Elbows, also known as 180° Return Bends, are used to reverse the direction of piping flow by 180 degrees. They are commonly used in heat exchanger piping, boiler and heater coils, process piping and compact return-loop arrangements.
ASME B16.9 includes both long-radius and short-radius 180° returns. For 180° returns, the principal dimensions are center-to-center (O) and back-to-face (K).
| Parameter | Elite Specification |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Elite |
| Product | 180° Buttweld Return Elbow / Return Bend |
| Primary Standard | ASME B16.9 |
| Angle | 180° |
| Configurations | Long Radius (LR) / Short Radius (SR) |
| Nominal Size | NPS 1/2–48, as applicable |
| End Connection | Butt Weld |
| Construction | Seamless / Welded / Fabricated, as applicable |
| Wall Thickness | Standard and special schedules / wall thicknesses |
| Dimension Reference | Center-to-Center (O) / Back-to-Face (K) |
| Outside Diameter | To match applicable pipe OD |
| End Preparation | ASME B16.9 / project specified |
| Heat Treatment | As required by material specification |
| Surface Finish | Standard / customer specified |
| Marking | Size, schedule, material and manufacturer identification |
| Inspection | Visual, dimensional, material and NDE as specified |
| Documentation | MTC, EN 10204 3.1/3.2, COC and inspection reports |
| Inspection | Availability |
|---|---|
| Visual Inspection | Standard |
| Dimensional Inspection | Standard |
| Material Verification | Standard |
| PMI | Available |
| UT | Available |
| MT / PT | Available |
| Radiographic Testing | As specified |
| Hardness Testing | As specified |
| Chemical & Mechanical Testing | Per material specification |
| Hydrostatic / Pressure Testing | Project specified |
| Third-Party Inspection | Available |
| EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 | Available |
Note: ASME B16.28 should not be listed as the primary current standard for these fittings; its relevant small-size wrought fitting content has been incorporated into current B16.9 requirements.
Carbon Steel
ASTM A234 WPB, WPC and applicable WPHY grades.
Low-Temperature Carbon Steel
ASTM A420 WPL3, WPL6 and applicable grades.
Stainless Steel
ASTM A403 WP304/304L, WP316/316L, WP321/321H, WP347/347H and other applicable grades.
Duplex & Super Duplex
ASTM A815 UNS S31803, S32205, S32750, S32760 and applicable grades.
Alloy Steel
ASTM A234 WP1, WP5, WP9, WP11, WP12, WP22, WP91 and applicable grades.
Nickel Alloys
ASTM B366 grades including Nickel 200/201, Monel 400/K500, Inconel 600/601/625/800/825, Hastelloy C276 and Alloy 20.
Copper-Nickel & Titanium
UNS C70600, C71500 and applicable titanium grades according to project requirements.
Material selection is based on operating pressure, temperature, process fluid, corrosion conditions, mechanical requirements and applicable project specifications.
180° Long Radius Return
Provides a larger bend radius and smoother flow reversal. Commonly used for heat exchanger, boiler, heater and process piping applications.
180° Short Radius Return
Provides a more compact return configuration where space is limited and the piping design permits a tighter radius.
Seamless 180° Return
Manufactured from seamless material for applications requiring seamless construction.
Welded / Fabricated 180° Return
Available for larger sizes, heavy-wall construction and special project requirements.
Elite can manufacture 180° Return Elbows according to customer drawings and project requirements, including:
Industries
Applications
Please provide:
Size + 180° Return + LR/SR + Schedule / Wall Thickness + Material + Seamless/Welded/Fabricated + Quantity + Inspection + Documentation
Example:
6″ 180° Long Radius Return Bend, ASME B16.9, ASTM A234 WPB, SCH 40, seamless, beveled ends, EN 10204 3.1, PMI.
