Shaping by plastic working (Topic: 16010)

Aluminium and aluminium alloys are normally shaped using the same methods and the same types of machinery as with other metals. However, there are some special features in the shaping of aluminium that should be borne in mind:

- It is relatively soft.

- It is notch-sensitive.

- It has a marked tendency to spring back when bent.

- It has a relatively low elongation to fracture.

- It has a high coefficient of thermal expansion and high thermal conductivity.

References: [2,3,7]