When bending 3/8" SS tube (0.035 wall), what is the approximate gain for a 90° bend?

When bending a 3/8" stainless steel tube with a wall thickness of 0.035", a 90° bend typically results in a gain of approximately 3/8". This gain refers to the increase in the length of the pipe that occurs due to the curvature of the bend.

For a tube, the gain is influenced by the radius of the bend and the material's properties. In standard practice, the bend typically shortens the straight length of the tubing along the outer edge where it creates a curve, and the inner side compresses. However, the effective length of the bend segment increases due to the geometry of the arc created by a 90° bend.

In the case of a 3/8" tube, using standard bending rules and formulas for gains, one can estimate that a 90° bend results in an approximate gain of 3/8". This is a crucial factor to consider when calculating total lengths for projects involving bending, ensuring that lengths provided are accurate for successful installations. Understanding the gain helps to achieve proper fit in systems where precision in connection lengths is critical.