Bending Aluminum Sheet Minimum Radius

The tables below show bend radii and minimum bend sizes for materials and tooling combinations stocked by protocase.

Bending aluminum sheet minimum radius. Aluminum is typically thicker and stronger and requires more force to bend as well as consideration of edge conditions and punch nose radii. Sheet metal bend radii if these guidelines are not followed more research and or some form of analysis may be requried. Let s say i have a 2 mm thick sheet and i want to bend it. Aluminum minimum bend radii for 90 degree cold forming of sheet and plate.

The minimum bend radius data shown in these charts is measured to the inside of the bend. The bend radii listed are standard minimum if manufacturing for aircraft and aerospace applications. Discover all our calculation tools in the calculators section of the top menu. It is most economical to use a single bend radius throughout the design but if necessary you can utilize multiple radii.

To keep it simple i also use a 2 mm inside radius. I can now see that the minimum flange length is 8 5 mm for such a bend so i have to keep it in mind when designing. Say you get a print that says you need to bend a part to an external angle of 100 degrees that s an internal angle of just 80 degrees. The minimum inside bend radius is even larger when bending with the grain.

Thick grade 350 and 400 may have a minimum bend radius of 2 5 times the material thickness when transverse bending while longitudinal bending may require a minimum bend radius that s 3 75 times the material thickness see figure 1. We go beyond the general rules of sheet metal bending as our customers want tight bend radii for sheet metal parts. Table 1 preferred recommended 90 degree bend radii for various sheet metals. Recommended minimum bend radii for steel and aluminum.

This tool allows you to determine tonnage internal radius v die opening and minimum flange you just have to insert the characteristics of the sheet metal to be bent. Per the aluminum association inc. Still if you want to avoid cracking abide by the minimum bend radius in 0 25 in thick 6061 t6 which is quite large see figure 3 and avoid bending acute angles. Aluminum where necessary 5052 h32 may be bent to 1t and 6061 t6 to 1 1 2t.

The tool can calculate the required bending force for bending aluminum stainless steel mild steel and weldox or strenx high strength steels. Use this document to choose values that are both manufacturable and meet your needs. It is possible to choose other bends if you require but additional lead time and tooling charges may apply. In steel between 0 5 and 0 8 in.

Bend radii minimum bend sizes.