Pipe elbows and tees for threaded pipework

Elbows and tees are the fittings that change direction or split flow — the two things threaded pipework needs to do most often when routing through plant, machinery or process equipment.

A 90-degree elbow makes a right-angle turn. A 45-degree elbow gives a shallower change of direction, which is useful where you want to reduce turbulence or work around an obstruction at a less aggressive angle. Equal elbows have the same thread size at both ends; reducing elbows step down in size through the turn.

Tees split a single line into two, or bring two lines together into one. Equal tees have the same thread size on all three ports. Reducing tees have a smaller branch than the run, which is the most common configuration in practice — branching a smaller line off a larger main.

Materials available include brass, steel and stainless steel. Thread forms cover BSP and metric. If your application involves high temperatures or aggressive media, stainless steel is the more durable choice.