Bending Stainless Steel

[chieffan]

I have 4 pieces of 1/4" X 4" stainless steel that has the end bent up about 20°. I want to flatten them out to use in an electrolysis tank. They would take up to much room with 4 of them and being bent like they area. Have not messed with but very little smaller SS. Can I flatten these out in a 20 T hydraulic press without breaking them at the bend??

 

[Lance Skene]

it wont break but there will be some stress cracks appear.... unless you heat it up with a torch first.

 

[chieffan]

Thanks Lance. Don't care about the stress marks. Won't have to be perfectly flat either so will stop before that point.

 

[jason silliker]

You’ll be fine and like Lance said, you may or may not get cracks.

 

[chieffan]

Got them bent back almost straight with no cracks. They are hanging in the electrolysis tub now. Will see in the morning how it is working out. The stainless is not supposed to get ate away like iron does.

 

[olcowhand]

I've read it can be somewhat dangerous to use for this. You should read up about it.

 

[chieffan]

I have in Cast Iron Collectors book. Dangerous when used in the size/quantity they use when putting chrome on parts but so very little when used in electrolysis in 6-8 gallon containers it is no problem. The lye bath we use is a lot more dangerous and has to be diluted down good before disposal. Mixture we normally use in 5 lbs. in 5 gal of water. Lasts a long time so not much discard with it. Going down to check the chicken fryer (deep 10+" skillet) in a bit and see how it looks.