Characteristics of Stainless Steel Plate Bending

Stainless steel plates exhibit distinct characteristics during bending due to their inherent properties, including high yield point, high hardness, and significant work hardening effects. 

Here are the key features of bending stainless steel plates:

High Deformation Force: Stainless steel has poorer thermal conductivity and lower elongation compared to ordinary low-carbon steel, necessitating a greater deformation force during bending.

Strong Springback Tendency: When compared to carbon steel, stainless steel plates exhibit a stronger tendency to spring back during bending.

Larger Bending Radius: Due to the lower elongation of stainless steel compared to carbon steel, the bending angle R must be larger to avoid the risk of cracking.

Tool Selection: The high hardness and pronounced work hardening effect of stainless steel require that bending tools be made of tool steel with a heat-treated hardness of at least 60 HRC. The surface roughness of these tools should also be one grade higher than that used for carbon steel.

Based on these characteristics, the following considerations should be taken into account:

Bending Force and Plate Thickness: For a given size, thicker plates require greater bending force. As the plate thickness increases, the bending equipment must provide a larger force margin.

Tensile Strength and Elongation: For a given size, materials with higher tensile strength and lower elongation require greater bending force and a larger bending angle.

Unfolded Size Calculation: When the plate thickness and bending radius are specified in design drawings, the unfolded size of a single bend workpiece can be calculated as the sum of the two perpendicular edges minus twice the plate thickness. This empirical formula can meet design accuracy requirements and significantly improve production efficiency.

Yield Strength and Elastic Recovery: Higher yield strength materials exhibit greater elastic recovery. To achieve a 90-degree bend in stainless steel, the punch angle must be designed smaller. It is crucial to note that the bending angle for stainless steel is larger than for carbon steel of the same thickness to prevent bending cracks, which can compromise the workpiece's strength.