aluminum formability 1

[vscid]

Which is the best and widely available aluminum alloy for formability?

 

[Ron]

Formable as in casting, extruding, bending or other? Depends on your application. Formability can be gained with many allows, but not necessarily in their higher tempering ranges. For instance a 6061-T0 would be "formable", but using a 6061-T6 the "formability" would be reduced, depending on the forming required.

 

[vscid]

Formable as in bending.

 

[Ron]

Depends on the bend radius. You might consider using a lower temper with ageing to gain strength. 60 series allows work pretty well for this. Bending at T4 temper then ageing to a higher temper is possible.

 

[TVP]

Alloy 1100 (essentially pure Al) in the annealed condition will have the highest formability, but has an extremely low yield strength (~ 35-50 MPa). Alloy 3003-O (annealed) is also very formable with low yield strength.

 

[MikeHalloran]

Widely available:
5052-H32
or
5052-H34 (a little harder)



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[IFRs]

The 3xxx series alloys are generally easily formable. 3003, 3105, etc.

 

[btrueblood]

Agree with Mike, the 5000 series alloys have decent strength, good formability, and are corrosion resistant.

 

[rb1957]

anything can be formed ... suggest you consult a sheet metal mechanic's handbook.

is heat treating out of the question ? (it is common to heat treat to O-condition, form (2024T3,7075T6, ...), and then heat treat back to the desired strength)

if it is then each alloy has it's own rules as to what can be achieved easily ... 2024T3 will happily bend at radii of 3t, 7075T6 likes a bit more (5t) but can work to 3t if care is taken ...

please, just a few more details ...

 

[NomLaser]

Lead is used in many of the alloys to increase machinability and possibly formability. So be careful if you are exporting to any countries that restrict lead on imports that need to meet RoHS compliance. (unless of course you claim exemption)

 

[swall]

Lead does NOT enhance formability in aluminum alloys.

 

[NomLaser]

Thanks for clearing that up. That's why I said 'possibly'

 

[ornerynorsk]

Agreeing with previous posters, 1100, 3003 and 5052-H32 are going to be the most formable and widely available. In extrusions, 6063-T52 is nice material to work with.

 

[hendersdc]

Agree with the others, 5052-H32 is very common and easily formable. You need to use a decent bend radius to avoid cracking, a radius of about the thickness is usually enough. Also forming a hem will cause cracking.

 

[KENAT]

http://www.precisionsheetmetal.com/home/materials.htm

KENAT,

Have you reminded yourself of faq731-376 recently, or taken a look at posting policies:

http://eng-tips.com/market.cfm?

What is Engineering anyway: faq1088-1484

 

[IFRs]

Also be aware that bending across the grain is different than bending with the grain.