Bending steel

[rob2078]

I've heard different opinions on using heat to bend steel.Do you cool by dipping in water or let the part cool on its own?What is the best way. Bob

 

[RPM]

When we have to heat to bend something we always just let it cool on its own. Never ever cool any welding down with water. NEVER!

 

[rob2078]

Does the heat do any damage to the strength of the steel?

 

[Dirt-T]

I would not think so unless it's a special alloy

 

[QuadBart]

I've heard different opinions on using heat to bend steel.Do you cool by dipping in water or let the part cool on its own?What is the best way. Bob

Heat the only as hot as you need to to bend it. I nice orange glow is good. Try not to heat it so red hot it starts to blister. NEVER quench it in water to cool it

 

[meangreen]

If you want an explanation of WHY, here goes (Sorry, it's the school teacher coming out in me): Metalurgically speaking, as long as you are working with mild steel, heating to bend it will not weaken it appreciably as long as it's not overheated. Heat it to red-orange or orange, not yellow. Welds and heated areas should be allowed to air-cool so as not to change their hardness. In other words, cooling hot steel with water "over-tempers" and hardens the steel and makes it brittle. Cooling too fast (quenching in water) may also cause microscopic invisible cracks around the molecules in the steel due to sudden shrinkage. This is a condition known as "crystalizing" which will cause it to fail later. Therefore, the advice given above is correct - never use water to cool a weld or heated area on any chassis or suspension component.

Tempered steel and spring steel are a different story; if they are heated and allowed to air-cool they lose their hardness or temper. That's a whole different can of worms...

 

[ram rod2]

Bob as far as welds go. NEVER EVER FORCE COOL A WELD!! welding produces nitrogen in the weld metal for different reasons.(rust,moisture,paint,ect.) the slower the weld cooles the more nitrogen escapes the weld making it stronger. It is permissable to force cool stainless steal due to its low carbon content.