Sheet Metal K-Factor Calculator

Calculate the K-factor for sheet metal bending to predict the neutral axis position.

Bend Parameters

Bend Allowance (BA) (in)

Inner Radius (Ri) (in)

Material Thickness (t) (in)

Bend Angle (deg)

Calculation Results

Enter bend specs to calculate K-factor

Overview

The K-factor is a ratio that represents the location of the neutral axis (the line where the metal is neither stretched nor compressed) during a bend. It's essential for calculating the flat pattern length of sheet metal parts.

💡

Pro Tips

If you don't know the exact K-factor, 0.44 is a common industry default for steel and aluminum.
K-factor changes depending on the bend method (e.g., air bending vs. bottom bending).
Always perform a test bend on a scrap piece of the actual material to verify your K-factor.

Fun Facts

"Most sheet metal K-factors fall between 0.3 and 0.5."
"If the K-factor is 0.5, it means the neutral axis is exactly in the center of the material thickness."
"Soft metals like aluminum often have lower K-factors than stiffer metals like stainless steel."

Formula: K = ( (180 × BA) / (π × Angle) - Ri ) / t

Used with this

Similar tools that might be useful

AC Room Size Calculator

Find the perfect AC unit size based on room dimensions and environmental factors.

AC Tonnage Calculator

Calculate air conditioning capacity in tons and BTU for your home with precision.

Air Changes per Hour (ACH)

Measure ventilation effectiveness by calculating room air replacement rates.