Annealing Aluminum

[tearbum67]

Got a couple of quick ? for you guys and gals. In the spring I hope to be covering my tear with its skins and triming w/ aluminum. I understand the annealing prossess but have a few related...??? questions. 1. can aliminum, specifical angle, be re-hardened after it has been annealed? and 2. will angle or bar aluminum crack if bent or folded lenght wise? Thanks for reading. Any help surely appretiated.

[Miriam C.]

Thats a dang good question. I personally avoid torches so ......... Have you looked into "dead soft" alum? You can get it at your RV repair/supply place and may help.

[Classic Finn]

Wow that is a good question...

I really want to hear the reply to this one..

Classic Finn

[madjack]

1) yes...after annealing, the piece will re-harden by working it...the more you work the piece the more it will harden...you could also re-temper it by heating and quick cooling
2) yes...even if annealed, if you bend it all the way back over itself, it will probably crack at the bend or at least be VERY WEAK....
3) goto the search section and enter anneal or annealing and get much info on the subject...........
madjack

[cuyeda]

Grant posted a few helpful pictures of bending aluminum, and perhaps two different techniques (what do I know). Perhaps these will help with your discussion.

See the thread here

[eamarquardt]

Differnent alloys of al. behave differently, so no "one size fits all" answer to will it crack when you bend it. The acid test is to take a piece of the material that you are working with, bend it and see what happens. Look for even the smallest cracks on the outside of the bend.

A good alternative is to use the Harbor Freight shrinker and stretchers to bend 1/16 angle to the shape you want for trim. The al. does not need to be anealed and probably gets a bit work hardened from the bending,

Hope this helps.

Cheers,

Gus

[tearbum67]

WOW thanks to all who have replied. I dont know what I would do without this bunch Thanks again.