A cnc press brake is an essential machine in today’s metal fabrication industry. With precise numerical control, automated angle correction, and flexible tooling options, it can bend a wide range of metal materials into accurate and repeatable shapes. Whether you’re working with a classic hydraulic press brake machine, choosing the right metal is crucial for achieving clean bends and consistent results.

In this blog post, we explore the most common metals suitable for CNC bending—and what to consider when working with each one.

Mild Steel (Carbon Steel)

Mild steel is the most frequently processed metal on cnc press brakes due to its excellent formability, low cost, and strong structural integrity.

Why it’s suitable:

• Good ductility
• Easy to bend
• Works with a wide thickness range

Typical applications:

• Construction components
• Machinery parts
• Automotive fabrication
• Electrical cabinets

Whether working with thin sheets or thicker plates, a hydraulic press brake machine handles mild steel efficiently and reliably.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is strong, corrosion-resistant, and widely used across industries. However, due to higher springback and strength, it requires more bending force—making cnc hydraulic press brakes ideal for the job.

Popular grades: 304, 316, 201
Key characteristics:

• Higher tonnage requirements
• Greater springback
• Needs proper punch radius

Used in:

• Food-grade equipment
• Medical device housings
• Decorative steel panels
• Outdoor architectural structures

Aluminium

Aluminum is lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and relatively easy to bend. It’s a favorite material for industries that demand strength without added weight.

Suitable aluminum grades: 5052, 6061
Bending behavior:

• Softer grades bend easily
• Harder alloys may crack
• Requires attention to inside radius

Typical uses:

• Enclosures
• Aerospace components
• Electronics housings
• Transportation parts

A cnc press brake can produce clean bends with minimal marking when the correct tooling is used.

Copper and Brass

Copper and brass are extremely ductile, soft metals that bend beautifully, even at tight radii. They require lower tonnage and offer excellent surface results.

Applications include:

• Electrical components
• Decorative panels
• HVAC systems
• Precision instrument parts

These materials bend smoothly on any hydraulic press brake machine with minimal risk of cracking.

Galvanized Steel

Galvanized steel behaves similarly to mild steel but includes a protective zinc coating. Special care is needed during bending to avoid damaging the coating.

Common uses:

• Ductwork
• Structural parts
• Outdoor cabinets
• Building materials

Choosing the right die opening helps maintain coating integrity during bending.

Titanium and Specialty Alloys

Titanium, spring steel, high-strength steels, and other specialty alloys can also be bent—though they require significantly higher pressure and accuracy.

Why CNC is necessary:

• Precise springback compensation
• Programmable angle control
• High tonnage capability

Industries using these metals:

• Luft- und Raumfahrt
• Defense
• Medical devices
• High-performance machinery

CNC hydraulic press brakes provide the stability and accuracy needed to bend these challenging materials.

Material Thickness & Grade Limitations

Metal bendability is influenced by several material properties:

• Tensile strength
• Thickness
• Grain direction
• Ductility
• Hardness

Matching your metal with the correct press brake tonnage and die width is essential. Most cnc press brakes include bending charts and tonnage calculators to ensure correct setup.

Factors That Affect Metal Bendability

To achieve accurate, repeatable results, consider the following:

• Springback (especially stainless steel & aluminum)
• Bend radius and tooling selection
• Rolling direction (grain direction affects cracking)
• Machine tonnage capacity
• Material hardness

CNC-controlled systems automatically adjust for springback, making high-precision bending easier and more consistent.

Abschluss

A cnc press brake, whether a modern CNC model or a traditional hydraulic press brake machine, can handle an extensive range of metals—from mild steel and aluminum to titanium and high-strength alloys. With programmable precision, flexible tooling, and real-time compensation, cnc hydraulic press brakes provide exceptional performance for both simple and complex fabrication tasks.

Whether you’re producing enclosures, architectural parts, machinery components, or aerospace-grade materials, selecting the right metal and press brake settings will ensure clean bends, long tool life, and top-quality results.