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Alloy Selection for Tube Bending Mandrels

Regional Preferences and Practical Guidance for Shaft and Ball Selection

Mandrel material selection for tube bending varies significantly by region and is influenced by local process conditions, tube material, lubrication practices, and operator experience. The following regional preferences are observed:

In the United States, AMPCO® 18 is most commonly used for mandrels. In Switzerland, AMPCO® M4 is the preferred choice. In Germany, harder grades are favored, with AMPCO® 22 typically used for the shaft and AMPCO® 25 for the ball.

Given this variation, there is no single universal standard. For the shaft, AMPCO® 18, 21, 22, and M4 are all viable options. For the ball, AMPCO® 21, 22, 25, and M4 are all suitable depending on application requirements.

When no specific application data is available, the recommended starting point is AMPCO® 21 for the shaft and AMPCO® 22 for the ball. If wear proves excessive and the customer can accommodate the machining demands of harder grades, the combination of AMPCO® 22 for the shaft and AMPCO® 25 for the ball is the next step up.