WHAT IS MANDREL BENDING-DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS

It is a popular rotary draw bending technique – a process in which a solid rod is put into a tube or pipe during bending. The solid rod strengthens the tube/pipe and prevents

collapse while making the mandrel bend. When a pipe is bent, the outer radius of the bend stretches the material, thinning it. The material accumulates on the shorter side of the

bend area. The result is typically tearing in the longer side and ripples in the shorter side. Mandrel bending adds physical strength to the pipe to eliminate backpressure and pipe

collapse. The solid tool inserted inside the tube or pipe is called a mandrel. Choosing the ideal mandrel is important to achieve a good mandrel bend. A hard mandrel (such as a steel rod)

is preferred for soft tubes. A soft mandrel is preferred for hard tubes. Once the bending is completed, the mandrel is extracted from the tube.

Which Materials To Choose For Mandrels?

The choice of material for the mandrel depends on the tube. Some popular options are:

• A steel or chrome mandrel for copper, aluminum, bronze, or steel tubes.
• An aluminum or bronze mandrel for stainless steel, Inconel, or titanium tubing.

The Importanve of Mandrel Bending

Mandrel bending is important for various reasons:

Bending Thin Tubing:This can be challenging for beginners and professionals since the walls tend to break under high stress. A mandrel makes the job easy and prevents the tube from breaking.

High Bend Angle:Mandrels are also indispensable when bending at a high angle or making multiple bends in a tube/pipe.

Stopping Spring-back:The immense physical strength of the mandrel eliminates backpressure and prevents the tube/pipe from returning to its original shape after bending (spring-back).

Applications of  Mandrel Bending

Mandrel bending is used for many parts in various applications: