I am wanting to form several custom parts from 3/16 to 1/4 inch aluminum sheetingforming will include rolling 3quot; radius 180 bends and edge rolling to form smooth edgeswhat do i need to do to get alum to roll without cracking or checking, read somewhere you can heat and work it but not sure what there is to itI have access to all machines in welding and machine shopAs well as sheet metal fabrication english wheels and bead rollers.etc.
They are not white stains, Hydrochloric acid is used to wash concreteWhy not finish the job and clean your driveway? BTW: Don't play with Hydrochloric Acid I knew a guy that was blinded by the stuff while doing such a stunt.
I'm assuming you're using the common 6061 alloyYou have a couple of options1) Use thinner material, if practical Decreasing the thickness will reduce the amount of strain created in the bendNote: 3/16 seems excessively thick to me in any case2) Likewise increase the radius of the bend3) Select a different alloy with lower strength but better ductilityFor example one of the 5xxx series alloys4) Purchase materials in the solution-annealed conditionThis is designated with an -O, for example 6061-O Finished parts can either be allowed to age-harden naturally over several months which will result in the -T4 condition Or else you can have them heat treated to the -T6 condition6061 is normally purchased as -T6; in other words it's been heat treated already by the manufacturerIn general heat treating produces 20%-30% better strength than natural agingYou'll have to custom order solutionized material, since they age just by sitting on the shelf in a warehouse5) Fabricate the 180 degrees sections out of 6 pipe or tubing, cut in half lengthwiseThen weld them to the flat pieces.
