What is the difference between elbow and bend in piping?

" All bends are elbows but all elbows are not bends."

Infact, the pipe is bent to form an elbow.

Elbows are pre-fabricated and are firm in design.

There are issues with bends since the tickness at the bend radius reduces as we bend the pipe.

Sharp bends are normally called Elbows. Bends typically have a minimum bending radius of 1.5 times pipe radius (R). If this bending radius is less than 1.5R, it is called Elbow. Reference to any international / industry standard need to be traced. 1.5, 3 & 4.5 R are the most common bending radii in industry.