Which piping component is a bend in the pipe, usually 90 degrees?

• A. Cap
• B. Tee
• C. Flange
• D. Elbow

Answer: (D)

The key idea is how piping fittings change the path of flow. An elbow is the piece designed to bend the pipe, typically at 90 degrees, so the direction of the run can be redirected in tight spaces or around obstacles. Elbows come in different bend radii, with the 90-degree version being the most common in plumbing and piping layouts.

Cap stops the flow by closing the end of a pipe, so it doesn’t create a bend. A Tee adds a branch, splitting or combining flow in a T-shaped junction. A flange provides a bolted connection surface between pipes or equipment. Among these, the elbow is the component whose primary purpose is to create the directional change in the piping run.