A third factor to be considered is that formability of a specific aluminium alloy plate can be found in the percentage of elongation and the difference between yield strength and ultimate tensile strength.it is quite obvious that the best series for forming, and thus for bending, are series 3xxx aluminium plate, 5xxx aluminium plate, and in some cases 6xxx aluminium plate. Series 2xxx and 7xxx are not to be considered and thus should be avoided due to being extremely strong. They are difficult to form in any way.

Top 3 Aluminum Alloys plate For Bending

1. 3003 Aluminum Alloys plate. This would be the best solution for most application. This Aluminum plate exhibits medium strength, the best cold workability together with high elongation such as 25% and one of the biggest differences between yield and tensile strength of 14 Ksi (Kilo-pound of force per square inch) at 0 temper – annealed, followed by the H14 temper which is partially annealed and strain hardened.

2. 5052 Aluminum Alloys plate. 5052 is a close second. At the annealed temper, it has an elongation of 20% and the difference between yield and tensile strength of 21.5 Ksi. It is the highest strength alloy of the more common non-heat treatable grades. It has excellent corrosion behavior and in the annealed condition has better formability than 3003 or even 1100 alloys, with 21.5 Ksi of difference between yield and tensile strength and up to 20% of elongation.

3. 6061 Aluminum Alloys plate. This is one of the most versatile of the heat treatable family of alloys. In the annealed condition, it can be used for bending since the difference between yield and tensile strength is 10 Ksi and elongation is up to 18%. When moving up to T4 and T6 tempers, however, bending ability tends to decrease. Bending these temered alloys is not impossible, but requires great caution and probably larger bending radii to avoid cracking.

7005 and 2024 Aluminum Alloys plate are not recommended for bending, since they are both alloys with great strength and forming capabilities which are very limited even in annealed condition.