What type of fitting is commonly used to connect pipes at an angle?

The elbow fitting is specifically designed to connect pipes at an angle, typically either 45 degrees or 90 degrees. This functionality is essential in plumbing and piping systems, as it allows for the change of direction in the piping layout without compromising the flow of fluid.

Elbow fittings are crucial in various applications where pipes need to navigate around obstacles or redirect flow paths efficiently. For instance, in residential plumbing, these fittings can be found in corners of walls when piping needs to move horizontally after rising vertically, or vice versa.

On the other hand, coupling fittings are used to connect two straight pipes in a linear fashion without changing the direction. Reducer fittings serve to connect pipes of different diameters, allowing for a gradual decrease in size. Union fittings are designed to enable easy disconnection of pipes for maintenance or repairs while maintaining a straight connection.