Can Aluminum be heated and "formed"

[Kraftwerk]

General Question:
Can aluminum be heated and "formed" like steel can?
I need some "straps" to be stretched a bit.. just a bit..
With steel I would just go for it I would just make it a bit bigger.
I would put the strap over a bigger pipe and bang away at it.
...metallurgically speaking aluminum seems a bit brittle to do this..
I understand it's pretty subjective and hard to tell without photo's
They are about 180 half circle straps and need to be "made"
about a 1/4" bigger...





Will try to post picture..

[javadog]

Yes, in theory.

But it might be easier to just make new ones.

[wayner]

Aluminum needs to be annealed

I was taught to do it by using an acetylene torch (no oxygen) to deposit black soot all over teh part.

Then turn on the oxygen to a low slightly oxygenated flame (not a carburizing one that would make it brittle)

Gently heat the part until all the soo is burnt off.

Let it cool a bit.
Its now ready to bend without cracking.

[aways]

Check this out.... amazing, but expensive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moYO-WWhaQ

[manbridge 74]

We used to bend our clutch and brake levers back after a trail riding crash. Had to use propane/MAPP or they’d break at the bend point.

[908/930]

Need some more info, what grade of aluminium? How thick? How large a rad?

Short answer yes you can heat it up and anneal it but you will loose its temper, getting it hot (400f-500f?) and forming it and quickly cooling with air line could work, do not quench.

Years ago I had some 6061T6 blocks I needed to heat up to shrink fit some plugs into, I contacted the Aluminium company and they gave me working parameters, if the parts are important possibly could try calling or email the supplier of the material.

For bending 6061 to a tight rad 90 if you warm up with a propane torch, the flame close to the metal will change colour and go slightly green (if I remember correctly) when hot enough, but was left soft (annealed) in that area.

[rcooled]

Originally Posted by Kraftwerk

They are about 180 half circle straps and need to be "made" about a 1/4" bigger...

What's the diameter, or the distance across the open ends? How wide & thick are the straps? A 1/4" stretch could be asking a lot if this is a small part.

Originally Posted by 908/930

For bending 6061 to a tight rad 90 if you warm up with a propane torch...

5051-H32 aluminum will bend quite easily without annealing. It's widely used for electronics enclosures and similar items that require forming. 6061-T6 is not a suitable alloy for bending and is used mostly for machined parts.

[LWJ]

I used to sell a few million pounds of 6000 series extrusion. Not the product for this.

Other alloys? Perhaps.

[cstreit]

Originally Posted by aways

Check this out.... amazing, but expensive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9moYO-WWhaQ

Wow. I wouldn't have the patience for that craft.

I wonder what the actual time investment was in that? 40 hours maybe?

[javadog]

It was probably less than one day. I’m somewhat surprised he didn’t anneal the panel again about halfway through, perhaps they just didn’t show that.

You can bend just about any alloy of aluminum, some simply require a larger bend radius than others.

I still think the easiest solution for this problem is just to make new straps.

[Kraftwerk]

Not sure the 'grade' ..it's anodized black.. I will just make new ones out of steel or buy something in steel which can be adapted to work... I think it's a flawed product to begin with .. for the rear sway bar mounts, not really a place you even WANT aluminum.. looks like it will snap.. will post a photo, and you will all agree thanks all for the input.

[sc_rufctr]

Back in the day we used to rub soap on aluminium and then heat it from the other side.
When the soap turned brown & then black it was annealing ready for more work.

If you didn't do it would crack easily when worked.

Once you get the hang of it aluminium is a dream to work with. Much better and easier than steel.

[flatbutt]

I tried straightening a MC brake lever that was cast aluminum. Got it very hot, it still snapped.