K Factor Calculator

The K Factor Calculator uses the thickness of the material, bend angle, inside radius, and bend allowance to find the K factor. 

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (`B`) Bend Angle
• (`IR`) Inside Radius
• (`BA`) Bend Allowance
• (`MT`) Material Thickness

K Factor (K): The calculator returns the answer as a decimal. 

The Math / Science

When sheet metal is bent, the metal around the bend becomes deformed and stretched. When that metal deforms, a small amount of length is added to the original part. Deductions have to be made from desired part sizes for flat patterns to results in a correct flat size. The bend allowance is the material added to the actual leg lengths of the part in order to develop a flat pattern.

The K factor is directly related to how much material is stretched during the bend. If you have a bend allowance you can calculator the K factor from it. The K factor can be used to extrapolate bend allowances for new angles and radii.

To find the K factor, use the formula:

K = [(180 ⋅ BA) / (π ⋅ B ⋅ MT)] - (IR / MT)

where: 

• K = K factor
• BA = bend allowance
• B = bend angle
• IR = inside radius
• MT = material thickness

Fabrication Calculators and Constants

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References

SheetMetal.Me (http://sheetmetal.me/formulas-and-functions/k-factor/)