Laser Cutting and Aluminium Bending: Available Materials
Available materials, laser cutting and bending parameters
Aluminium alloys in stock, fibre laser cutting capacity and CNC bending parameters for sheet metal and tube. For a technical comparison between alloys (mechanical properties and corrosion resistance), see the Aluminium Alloys: Technical Comparison page.
Sheet metal
Alloys and thicknesses in stock
| Alloy / designation | Supply condition | Available thicknesses (mm) | Notes / availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN AW-5754 H111 | Annealed / semi-processed | 0.5 ÷ 10 | Up to 20 mm on request |
| EN AW-5754 H114 | Tread plate (raised pattern) | 1.5 / 2 / 3 + pattern thickness | Standard stock |
| EN AW-6082 T6 | Heat-treated (T6) | 1.5 ÷ 10 | Standard stock |
| EN AW-5754 H22 * | Strain-hardened / partially annealed | 1 ÷ 5 | On request |
| EN AW-5083 H111 * | Annealed | 3 ÷ 6 | On request |
* Available to order – lead times to be agreed.
Laser cutting
Sheet metal is cut using fibre optic laser cutting, in a maximum format of 1500 × 3000 mm.
Bending – punches available
Sheet metal bending is performed with CNC press brakes, with a maximum bend length of 3000 mm. Punches currently available:
| Punch radius (mm) | Angle (°) | Typical use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| R 0.5 | 30° | Tight bends on thin gauges (< 1 mm) | |
| R 0.6 | 35° | Tight bends, sheet up to 1.5 mm | |
| R 0.8 | 85° | Near-90° bends on thin gauges | |
| R 3.0 | 30° | Medium thicknesses (2–6 mm), general purpose | Most commonly used standard radius |
| R 10 | – | Medium-heavy thicknesses (8–10 mm) | |
| R 12.5 | – | Wide bends on medium thicknesses | |
| R 17.5 | – | Large-radius bends | Suitable for 6082 T6, 6–8 mm thick |
| R 25 | – | Large-radius bends on heavy thicknesses | Suitable for 6082 T6, 8–10 mm thick |
Recommended bend radius by alloy
Minimum bend radius values are derived from the mechanical characteristics of the alloys per EN 485-2 (sheet/strip), EN 573-3 (chemical composition) and Eurocode 9 (EN 1999-1-1). The minimum radius is expressed as a function of sheet thickness t (Rmin = n × t).
| Alloy | Rm (MPa) | A% (elong.) | Rmin / t | Recommended punch | Technical notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN AW-5754 H111 | ≥ 190 | ≥ 14% | 0.5 – 1×t | R0.5 / R3 | Excellent formability. Annealed condition, ideal for complex bends. |
| EN AW-5754 H114 | ≥ 220 | ≥ 10% | 1×t | R3 | Account for the additional thickness of the raised pattern. |
| EN AW-5754 H22 | ≥ 220 | ≥ 10% | 1 – 1.5×t | R3 | Good formability. Minimum radius slightly higher than H111. |
| EN AW-5083 H111 | ≥ 270 | ≥ 14% | 1×t | R3 / R10 | High strength, good ductility. Use R10 for thicknesses ≥ 5 mm. |
| EN AW-6082 T6 | ≥ 290 | ≥ 8% | 2 – 3×t | R10 / R12.5 / R25 | Heat-treated condition: limited formability. Avoid tight radii; for thicknesses ≥ 6 mm, R17.5 or R25 is recommended. |
Reference standards: EN 485-2 (mechanical properties of aluminium sheet), EN 573-3 (composition), EN 1999-1-1 – Eurocode 9, EN ISO 7438 (bend test).
Tube and extruded profiles
Alloys and dimensions in stock
| Alloy / designation | Supply condition | Geometry / dimensions | Notes / availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN AW-6060 T5/T6 | Heat-treated (T5/T6) | Various standard geometries | Extruded profiles, off-the-shelf |
| EN AW-5754 H32 | Strain-hardened | Round Ø25×2 mm, Ø30×2 mm | On request: Ø35×2 mm |
Bending – fixed-radius dies available
Tube bending is performed with fixed-radius bending machines, for round and rectangular tube. Dies currently available:
| Diameter / section (mm) | Average bend radius (mm) | Applicable alloy / material | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ø 12 | R 36 | EN AW-6060 T5 | |
| Ø 14 | R 40 | EN AW-6060 T5 | |
| Ø 20 | R 67 | EN AW-6060 T5 | |
| Ø 25 | R 67 | EN AW-6060 T5 / EN AW-5754 H32 | |
| Ø 30 | R 75 and R 90 | EN AW-6060 T5 / EN AW-5754 H32 | Two radius options available |
| Ø 35 | R 90 and R 110 | EN AW-6060 T5 | Two radius options available |
| Ø 40 | R 130 | EN AW-6060 T5 | |
| Rectangular 30×20 | R 100 | EN AW-6060 T5 | Bend on major axis |
| Rectangular 40×20 | R 100 | EN AW-6060 T5 | Bend on major axis |
Recommended minimum bend radius by alloy
The minimum bend radius for tube is a function of the outer diameter D and of the mechanical characteristics of the alloy (EN 755-2 for extruded profiles, EN 573-3 for composition).
| Alloy | Rm (MPa) | A% (elong.) | Rmin / D | Assessment and notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN AW-6060 T5 | ≥ 160 | ≥ 8% | 1.5 – 2×D | Good formability for T5 profiles. Suitable for most dies available. |
| EN AW-6060 T6 | ≥ 190 | – | – | Insufficient formability in T6 condition: alloy not suitable for bending. |
| EN AW-5754 H32 | ≥ 220 | ≥ 10% | 1.5 – 2×D | Good ductility even in H32 condition. Applicable to the Ø25 and Ø30 sizes in stock. |
Reference standards: EN 755-2 (extruded aluminium profiles – mechanical properties), EN 573-3, EN 1999-1-1 – Eurocode 9.
Notes and disclaimers
- The radii indicated are reference values; the optimal actual radius may vary depending on the specific thickness, rolling direction and required dimensional tolerance.
- For EN AW-6082 T6, formability on thicknesses ≥ 6 mm should be verified case by case, due to the high mechanical strength and reduced ductility in the T6 condition.
- For tube, EN AW-6060 T6 is not suitable for bending in any configuration.
- LAMEC is certified to ISO 3834-2 for aluminium welding and is currently pursuing EN 1090 certification for the construction of aluminium structures.
- For materials, formats or processes not covered in this data sheet, contact LAMEC's technical office for a tailored assessment.
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