Press Brake Forming Force Chart
Approximate Forming Force in tons per linear foot required to make a
90 degree air bend in mild steel with a Tensile Strength of 60,000 psi.

Thickness
of Metal

Width of Female Die Opening (in inches)
Gage Dec.

1/4

 5/16 3/8 1/2 5/8 3/4 7/8 1 1 1/8 1 1/4 1 1/2 2 2 1/2 3 3 1/2 4 5 6 7 8 10 12
20
18
16
.036
.048
.060
2.6
.
.
2.2
3.5
.
1.6
2.8
5.3
1.2
2.1
3.7
1.0
1.7
2.8
.
1.3
2.2
.
.
1.7
                             
14
13
12
.075
.090
.105
     
5.5
.
.
4.6
6.4
9.2
3.5
5.5
6.9
3.0
4.3
6.2
2.5
3.6
5.0
2.1
3.2
4.3
.
2.8
3.9
.
.
3.1
                     
11
10
9
.120
.135
.150
         
10.1
.
.
8.0
10.3
.
7.0
8.7
11.9
6.1
7.8
9.8
5.3
6.9
8.8
4.3
5.7
7.0
2.9
3.9
5.0
.
.
3.7
                 
7
1/4
5/16
.188
.250
.312
               
16.9
.
.
13.9
27.5
.
11.2
22.1
39.2
8.3
15.0
26.5
6.7
11.6
19.3
4.9
9.6
15.0
.
7.9
12.5
.
6.7
10.4
.
.
7.7
         
3/8
7/16
1/2
.375
.437
.500
                     
42.7
.
.
31.2
45.5
.
23.8
35.2
48.5
19.5
28.5
39.5
16.3
24.4
33.2
12.4
17.4
24.6
9.6
15.0
19.5
.
11.5
16.1
.
.
13.4
   
5/8
3/4
7/8
1
.625
.750
.875
1.00
                           
65.5
.
.
.
57.9
92.3
.
.
42.8
68.1
103.1
.
33.1
53.0
79.9
112.1
27.3
43.2
63.9
90.4
23.3
36.2
52.3
75.5
17.0
26.9
39.2
55.7
.
21.0
31.2
43.7

The green highlighted values indicate the ideal conditions for right angle bending; using a punch with a radius equal to the metal thickness and a die opening approximately 8 times the metal thickness. The resulting bend will have an inside radius that is approximately equal to the metal thickness.

If the stock exceeds ½ inch in thickness it is a good practice to increase the die opening to at least 10 times the metal thickness.

Note: Bending forces required for other metals can be estimated using the chart above and
multiplying the estimated force by the appropriate adjustment shown in the table below...

Material Multiplier
Stainless Steel...18-8 Annealed Type 304 1.55
Aluminum...3303-H14 (½ Hard) .35
Aluminum...5052-H34 (½ Hard) .65
Aluminum...6061-T64 .75
Brass...(Soft) .50
Brass...70/30 (½ Hard) 1.10
Chrome Molybdenum 2.00