Scr precision tube bending
Series 5052 metals provide an ideal material for cold forming processes. These metals respond well to cold working and feature excellent strength characteristics. Series 3003 aluminums have a 25% elongation rate, making them extremely workable and resilient. Some of the best aluminum alloys for tube bending include: Knowing the characteristics of your chosen alloy is just as important as knowing how many bends and what degrees of bend are required for a project. The higher a metal’s tensile strength, the more resilient it is under stress and the better it can handle tube bending processes. Percentage of ElongationĪ metal with low tensile strength has restrictions on the degree to which it can be bent. Small-radius (sharp) bends put the metal at risk of cracking, especially if the metal is thick and beginning to harden. That’s important to keep in mind for projects with extreme bends. Like many other metals, aluminum alloys will experience work hardening as they undergo fabrication processes. But for projects with mild bends, stronger and less workable alloys will often work just as well. For projects that require bending with tight radii and multiple bends, you may need to prioritize formability over strength and other characteristics. Aluminum alloys, in particular, offer a good balance between strength and formability-characteristics that are often at odds with each other in other materials. Some are hard and brittle, while others are soft and pliable. When you’re determining which tube stock material to use for different manufacturing projects that require tube bending processes, consider the following: Formabilityĭifferent metals and alloys offer varying degrees of formability. As a strong, lightweight, and highly workable metal, aluminum provides a top choice for producing parts that need to undergo precision metal forming techniques. Experienced tube benders can manage complex bending projects without allowing the metal to develop cracks, kinks, or misshapen interior dimensions that may restrict the flow of fluid. Posted by rhenderson on Septem2:24 pm | Leave a CommentĪluminum tube bending is a precision process for forming aluminum tubes without damaging the material or compromising the internal dimensions of the tube.