6 methods to bend extruded aluminum — roll bending, press brake, stretch forming, mandrel, heat bending, and CNC bending.
Aluminum extrusion profiles are widely used in various sectors, such as construction, transportation, electronics, and renewable energy. Nevertheless, in a large number of applications, these profiles are not straight, but must be bent or shaped into complex geometries.
Key Factors Affecting Aluminum Bending
Alloy Type
Aluminum alloys are subdivided into various grades typically as series. 6000-series alloys (e.g. 6061 or 6063) are popular in construction and industrial applications due to their good corrosion resistance.
Profile Design
Hollow forms, solid walls, or elaborate multi-cavity constructions may make bending difficult or result in non-uniform deformation.
Bend Radius and Angle
The smaller the bend radius, the greater the risk of surface cracking or profile deformation.
Surface Treatment
Anodizing, powder coating or painting may be damaged in the process of bending.
Temper Treatment
Tempering improves the alloy's physical properties, making bending more difficult and expensive.
6 Common Methods to Bend Extruded Aluminum
Roll Bending
One of the most common methods for bending long profiles is roll bending.
Press Brake Bending
This method typically uses a hydraulic or mechanical press brake to bend the aluminum profile between a punch and a V-shaped die.
Stretch Forming
Stretch forming is a process that uses clamps to hold the ends of an aluminum profile, stretches it to a specified tension.
Mandrel Bending
It is a bending method designed specifically for hollow or tubular aluminum profiles.
Heat Bending
Heat bending refers to the local heating of aluminum profiles before applying bending force to increase their ductility.
CNC Bending
CNC bending involves bending aluminum profiles with great precision using a computer controlled press or press brake.
Future Outlook: Extrusion-Bending Integration
The current bending method of aluminum involves mostly two steps of bending, which include extrusion of straight profile then bending it into the desired shape.
In Shenghai Aluminum, we are keeping a close eye on these new technologies and provide you with various aluminum profiles and bending solutions that will address your project requirements today.