Page elements such as a scalebar can be converted to a collection of elements (rectangles, texts, ...), using element.ConvertToGraphics().
However, this is applied directly to the element on the layout, and after being converted, the scalebar does no longer have a connection to the map.
Is there a way to get the subelements of an element without altering the element itself? Can I for instance clone the element in memory? Or clone the entire layout, and delete the copy afterwards?