ASTM A403 WP304/WP304L Stainless Steel Elbow, Buttweld Fitting, ASME B16.9

Product Overview & Specifications

This product is a Stainless Steel Butt Weld Elbow, manufactured to the highest industry standards for pressure piping systems. It is designed to change the direction of pipeline flow at a 90-degree angle, ensuring a secure, leak-proof connection when welded directly to pipes of matching size and material.

The elbow conforms to two critical standards:

• Material & Manufacturing Standard: ASTM A403/A403M (2022 edition). This standard governs wrought austenitic stainless steel fittings for pressure piping applications. The prefix "WP" indicates that the fitting conforms to ASME dimensional and pressure rating standards.

• Dimensional Standard: ASME B16.9. This standard defines the precise factory-made dimensions, tolerances, and ratings for butt-welding fittings, ensuring perfect compatibility and interchangeability within piping systems.

The dual-grade marking WP304/304L signifies that the chemical composition and mechanical properties of the fitting meet the requirements for both 304 and 304L stainless steel grades.

Material: Austenitic Stainless Steel

The elbow is made from wrought austenitic stainless steel, known for its excellent corrosion resistance, good formability, and durability. The "WP304L" designation corresponds to the unified numbering system (UNS) code S30403.

Chemical Composition

The key difference between 304 and 304L grades is the controlled lower carbon content in 304L, which minimizes carbide precipitation during welding and enhances resistance to intergranular corrosion. The chemical composition ranges are as follows:

Mechanical Properties

The fitting meets the minimum mechanical property requirements as stipulated by the ASTM A403 standard.

Applications

This stainless steel elbow is suitable for a wide range of applications due to its corrosion resistance and strength, including:

• Chemical & Petrochemical Processing: Handling corrosive fluids and gases.

• Food & Beverage and Pharmaceutical Industries: Where hygiene and cleanability are paramount.

• Oil & Gas and Power Generation: For various process and service piping.

• General Industrial Piping Systems: In applications requiring durable and reliable pipe connections.