×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Bending 6061-T6 1-1/2" Nom. diameter schedule 40 Pipe

Bending 6061-T6 1-1/2" Nom. diameter schedule 40 Pipe

Bending 6061-T6 1-1/2" Nom. diameter schedule 40 Pipe

(OP)
I'm bending 6061-T6 1-1/2" schedule 40 pipe (OD=1.9", Wall=.144) and i'm having trouble with the pipe snapping with or with out heating the bend.  I am not sure about the bender i am using but it is the only one avaliable to me  Here is a link to the bender i am using.

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=628&R=628

If you have any tips on how to sucessfuly bend it i would highly appriciate it.

Thanks
Aaron Scholl

RE: Bending 6061-T6 1-1/2" Nom. diameter schedule 40 Pipe

You should probably be using a 1100 or 3003 series alloy.
6061 is not suitable for "tight" bends.


Making the best use of this Forum.  FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions.  FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of.  FAQ559-520

RE: Bending 6061-T6 1-1/2" Nom. diameter schedule 40 Pipe

(OP)
What would be the minimum bend length for 6061-t6?

RE: Bending 6061-T6 1-1/2" Nom. diameter schedule 40 Pipe

Page 13 of the following article lists min recommended bends or various alloys & tempers of tube (not pipe) but should be similar. The radii listed are suprisingly small. Make sure your bending machine dies/rollers are well lubricated.

http://www.capral.com.au/product_info/aluminium.pdf

See also
http://www.galcit.caltech.edu/~tongc/html/data/elastic/Extruded_Alloy_6061.pdf


Making the best use of this Forum.  FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions.  FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of.  FAQ559-520

RE: Bending 6061-T6 1-1/2" Nom. diameter schedule 40 Pipe

CorBlimeyLimey - The softer alloys are not suitable for many applications, like handrails for instance.

I consult for a company that makes handrails out of 1 1/2" sch 40 6061 pipe (which is the minimum size that meets the standard OSHA loading).  They use a 4 1/2" inside radius.  There is some flattening on the outside radius but it appears to be cosmetic only.  They do not heat the pipe or the bending dies.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources