Stainless Steel Bending Capabilities

We use a variety of stainless steel bending methods to fabricate our products. We offer in-house stainless steel rolling capabilities through the following methods:

• Large-radius bent stainless steel is rolled on a section bender (also known as a profile bender or angle roller).

• Curved stainless steel requiring tight radii is rolled on a rotary-draw bender through a technique called mandrel bending.

• Rolled stainless steel tube or pipe requiring a bend with minimal deformation in wall thickness or ovality would be rolled using the induction bending process.

• Helical spiral bending can be performed on any stainless steel section using a CNC 4 roll bender.

Bent Stainless Steel Material Considerations

When working with stainless steel, there are many finish options available. Starting with the standard 2B mill-finish and ranging all the way to a pristine mirrored finish. All in all, there are over 50 varieties of stainless steel grades available for use. All stainless steel grades contain a minimum of 10.5% chromium. Additional chromium and other elements may be added to improve corrosion and/or heat resistance, or to enhance or improve mechanical properties and fabricating characteristics.

As a principal factor, Chicago Metal Rolled Products takes into consideration the composition of the alloy, material thickness, required bend radius and bend angle when calculating the bending force necessary to avoid a “springback” of the bent stainless steel to its original shape.

Curved Stainless Steel Applications

Stainless steel rolling is frequently used for handrails, bollards, ladders, staircases, and sculptures. Lately, stainless steel bending has begun to replace concrete in structural designs, including swimming pools. Specialized vessels, such as fermentation tanks for wine making and craft beers, as well as pharmaceutical and food grade applications, often utilize curved stainless steel tubing as a ducting system to convey fluids.

Rolled Stainless Steel Value-Added Services

This has become a value-added service for customers seeking stainless steel with a polished finish. It is far easier, faster, and more cost efficient to have the material polished prior to the stainless steel bending process, while it is still straight.

Using our extensive experience and proprietary tooling, we produce curved parts through our stainless steel rolling process with little to no scratching, carbon-transfer, or carbon contamination, thus reducing the amount of fabrication time needed after the stainless steel bending process has been completed. Typically only minor touch-up work is necessary.

Our in-house machine shop is equipped to cut, drill, bevel, punch, and weld any segment through our stainless steel rolling services, either before or after bending. Many customers request our machined-bevel weld prep on curved cylinders that have undergone our stainless steel rolling services. This process enhances the efficiency of their welding operation and minimizes rework expenses.