annealing and bending cast Al

[Bribyk]

I recently picked up a little shop tip for bending aluminum sheet (likely 6061) into complex shapes without fatiguing: apply Sharpie marking, bend, heat until Sharpie disappears, rebend and repeat. Apparently, the temperature the Sharpie marker disappears at corresponds well to the proper annealing temperature.

I'm wondering if this would work on cast aluminum pieces like used in motorcycle brake and clutch handles.

I'm not trying to repair a bent brake handle, just to bend it to fit in an application with no liability.

 

[CoryPad]

Elevated temperature will help to increase formability of cast aluminium alloys. However, the coarse microstructure, composition gradients, high volume fraction of hard silicon particles, and presence of porosity limits the amount of deformation that is possible. Great care is needed when undertaking this procedure.

Regards,

Cory

Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips Fora.

 

[Bribyk]

I kind of figured that. I know they will bend substantially without annealing...once. I'm hoping the heating will reduce the chances of breakage while bending and fatigue in use.