What is the sharpest bend that can be made in metal without critically weakening it known as?

The concept of sharp bends in sheet metal working centers around the relationship between bending radius and material integrity. The minimum radius of bend is the term used to describe the smallest radius at which a material can be formed or bent without suffering from issues like cracking, deformation, or other forms of failure.

When sheet metal is bent, the inner surface of the bend experiences compression, while the outer surface experiences tension. If the bend is too sharp—meaning the bend radius is less than the material’s minimum bend radius—the tensile stress on the outer surface may exceed the material’s ultimate tensile strength, leading to a failure or permanent deformation.

The minimum radius is generally determined by the type of material, its thickness, and the specific properties of the sheet metal being used. Understanding this concept is crucial for ensuring durability and maintaining the structural integrity of a component while processing it into its desired shape. In industrial applications, bending processes often incorporate this radius as a guideline to avoid compromising the properties of the metal.

The other options relate to bend characteristics but do not specifically denote the critical point of radius that could jeopardize material integrity as clearly as the minimum radius of bend does.