Minimum Bend Radius Steel Sheet Metal

Table 1 preferred recommended 90 degree bend radii for various sheet metals.

Minimum bend radius steel sheet metal.

Since commercial sheet metal bending can be done with less concern for stresses caused during forming operation the radius can be near zero for thin sheet metal. It shall be equal to three times of sheet thickness plus bend radius. Use this document to choose values that are both manufacturable and meet your needs. The bend radii listed are standard minimum if manufacturing for aircraft and aerospace applications.

It is possible to choose other bends if you require but additional lead time and tooling charges may apply. Discover all our calculation tools in the calculators section of the top menu. We go beyond the general rules of sheet metal bending as our customers want tight bend radii for sheet metal parts. Minimum sheet metal flange bend length is required to avoid cracks in the bending area.

The minimum bend radius data shown in these charts is measured to the inside of the bend. The following tables showing the minimum bend radius allowable in air bending process for aluminum and steel or stainless steel. In steel between 0 5 and 0 8 in. Keeping the bend radius consistent will also make parts more cost effective.

The minimum inside bend radius is even larger when bending with the grain. Minimum hole diameter guidelines. It is most economical to use a single bend radius throughout the design but if necessary you can utilize multiple radii. Recommended minimum bend radius for metal bending stainless steel and aluminum.

A general guideline the minimum metal bend radius is approximately equal to the material thickness. Aluminum 5052 or 3003. Aluminum where necessary 5052 h32 may be bent to 1t and 6061 t6 to 1 1 2t. Recommended minimum bend radii for steel and aluminum.

The tool can calculate the required bending force for bending aluminum stainless steel mild steel and weldox or strenx high strength steels. 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. If a piece of material is bent too tightly problems can occur. Minimum sheet metal flange bend length 3 x sheet thickness bend radius.

The tables below show bend radii and minimum bend sizes for materials and tooling combinations stocked by protocase. Bend radii minimum bend sizes. Sheet metal bend brakes are used to bend material into the parts desired geometry. Sheet metal bend radii if these guidelines are not followed more research and or some form of analysis may be requried.

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.