What Factors Affect Bendability?
Three factors control the bendability of the various alloys used in these products:
Formability of aluminum alloys
Thickness and bend radius
Elongation
First factor – formability
This refers to the ability of a particular material to undergo permanent deformation during the forming process without cracking or tearing. In the field of materials science, permanent deformation is also called plastic deformation.
Generally speaking, formability is a relative concept rather than a specific value. For example, the applied force required to form a product depends not only on the strength and ductility of the material, but also on factors such as the shape of the part and the thickness of the starting material.
In other words, we can measure the forming force required to produce a specific part from a specific starting material. However, changing the shape of the part or the physical properties of the starting material will change the force that needs to be applied.
Second factor – thickness and bend radius
If you have ever used regular aluminum foil, you know that it bends very easily. However, if you were to bend a sheet of aluminum that is a thousand times thicker than foil, it would be much more difficult! This is because the thicker the material, the more difficult it is to bend.
You can also bend aluminum gutters by hand. But if you try to bend it to a very small angle without breaking it, that would be a problem! Bending metal to a tight bend radius can cause tearing or cracking.
Third Factor – Elongation
Elongation is the ability of a material to deform plastically when stretched. Elongation is also known as plastic strain, or strain applied beyond the material's yield strength limit.
Aluminum alloys with higher ductility are able to deform more plastically with slightly increased applied stress, which improves the overall bending properties of the aluminum alloy.
Bendability of 5052
AA5052 has medium-to-high strength properties with magnesium as the main alloying element. At the same time, it maintains good bending properties, allowing designers to use it for higher-strength applications than AA3003. The alloy also has excellent corrosion resistance to seawater, which means it is well suited for use in marine equipment.
Aluminum Alloy 5052 is a good choice for bending. While the elongation is not as high as 3003 aluminum alloy, you will still see a large difference between yield strength and tensile strength. Compared to other non-heat-treatable grades, you'll see high strength, not to mention 5052's excellent corrosion resistance. Once you anneal 5052 aluminum, you can even beat 3003 alloy in terms of economics.
Manufacturers typically produce hydraulic tubing, traffic and hardware signs, medical equipment, marine equipment, and electronics (chassis and housings).
If you would like more information about bending a specific alloy or which alloy is best for your application, contact our sales department.