Understand how different materials behave during press brake bending. Learn about springback, cracking, force requirements, and best practices for each material type.
Introduction
Different materials behave differently during bending due to variations in yield strength, elastic modulus, ductility, and work-hardening. At Fulei Metal, we bend all common sheet metals and optimize parameters for each.
Material Properties That Affect Bending
Yield Strength
Mild steel: 170-250 MPa. High-strength steel: 345+ MPa. Stainless steel: 205-310 MPa. Aluminum 5052: 130-200 MPa. Aluminum 6061-T6: 240-276 MPa. Higher yield strength means more springback.
Elastic Modulus
Steel: 210 GPa. Stainless: 193 GPa. Aluminum: 70 GPa. Lower modulus means more elastic recovery despite lower yield strength.
Ductility and Elongation
Mild steel: 20-25%. Stainless: 40-60%. Aluminum 5052: 12-18%. Higher elongation allows tighter radii.
Work Hardening
Stainless steel work-hardens significantly (30-50% hardness increase). Aluminum work-hardens moderately. Mild steel minimally.
Mild Steel Bending
Easiest to bend. Springback 1-3 degrees. Minimum radius 0.8-1.0 times thickness. Low cracking risk. Standard V-die openings work well.
Stainless Steel Bending
More challenging. Springback 2-5 degrees. Minimum radius 1.0-1.5 times thickness. 30-50% more force than mild steel. Use wider die openings and real-time angle measurement. Avoid re-bending due to work hardening.
Aluminum Bending
Moderate springback 1-4 degrees varying by alloy. Minimum radius 1.0-2.0 times thickness. About 1/3 the force of steel. Soft alloys crack-resistant, hard alloys prone to cracking. Use polished tools and protective film.
Galvanized Steel Bending
Similar to mild steel. Springback 1-3 degrees. Use slightly larger radii to prevent coating cracking. Clean tools regularly for zinc residue.
Conclusion
Different materials require different approaches. Understanding how properties affect bending enables selecting appropriate parameters. At Fulei Metal, our experience ensures the right parameters for each material.