Can Stainless Steel Pipes Be Bent? What Factors Should Be Considered?

Due to their corrosion resistance, high-temperature tolerance, environmental friendliness, and unique physical characteristics, stainless steel pipes are extensively utilized across various industries. But how much do you really know about the bending process of stainless steel pipes?

Methods for Bending Stainless Steel Pipes

Hot Bending Technique: Start by making several rollers according to the arc of the pipe's outer diameter. Securely fix these rollers onto an iron plate. Fill the pipe with sand and plug both ends with wooden stoppers. Heat the section of the pipe that needs bending with a flame before performing the bend.

Process Challenges

During the process, friction between the workpiece and the tool generates substantial heat, leading to rapid tool wear. Hence, the tool material must be durable, high-temperature resistant, and have a sharp edge. The processing speed is slow due to the significant force applied during cutting, resulting in low production efficiency. Additionally, because of the high heat produced, selecting effective cooling oil, such as chlorinated sulfur, is critical for optimal results. Drilling deep holes and threading are particularly challenging, necessitating highly skilled and experienced workers for stainless steel pipe processing.

Considerations for Bending Stainless Steel

Bending Force Relative to Plate Thickness: For a given unit size, a thicker plate requires a greater bending force. As plate thickness increases, the margin for bending force when selecting equipment should be larger. Stainless steel requires higher deformation force due to its lower thermal conductivity and elongation compared to ordinary low-carbon steel.

Tensile Strength and Elongation: For a given unit size, higher tensile strength and lower elongation demand greater bending force and a larger bending angle. Stainless steel requires a larger bending angle than carbon steel of the same thickness. This must be carefully noted to prevent bending cracks that could compromise the workpiece's strength.

Design Specifications: When the design drawing specifies plate thickness and bending radius, the unfolded size of a single-bend workpiece is the sum of the right-angle sides minus twice the plate thickness. This meets design accuracy requirements. Using an empirical formula can simplify calculations and significantly enhance production efficiency.

Yield Strength and Elastic Recovery: Higher yield strength materials exhibit greater elastic recovery. To achieve a 90-degree bend, the pressing die angle must be smaller. Austenitic stainless steel shows more elastic recovery deformation compared to carbon steel, necessitating a smaller pressing die angle.

By understanding these methods and considerations, you can ensure the effective and precise bending of stainless steel pipes in various applications.