What is the purpose of using bends in tubing installations?

Using bends in tubing installations primarily serves to allow for temperature expansion and contraction. When fluids are transported through tubing, temperature changes can cause the tubing materials to expand or contract. Bends provide a flexible pathway that accommodates these changes without putting stress on the joints or the tubing itself. This flexibility is crucial because it helps to prevent cracking or failure in the tubing due to thermal stress.

While improving fluid flow, simplifying installation, or increasing structural durability can be considered benefits in certain contexts, these are not the primary purpose of bends. Bends can sometimes cause turbulence in flow, may complicate installation by requiring precise angles, and do not inherently add to the structural durability of the tubing material; rather, they serve the specific function of managing the effects of temperature variation. Thus, the key role of bends is their ability to absorb the movement from thermal expansion and contraction effectively.