How much material is needed to create a 90° bend?

To determine how much material is needed to create a 90° bend, one must consider the bend allowance, which is the length of material consumed in the bending process. The bend allowance is influenced by the radius of the bend and the thickness of the material.

When calculating the bend allowance for a 90° bend, the formula typically used is:

[

\text{Bend Allowance} = \left( \frac{\pi}{2} \right) \times (\text{Inside Bend Radius} + \text{Material Thickness})

]

For a standard bend, the inside bend radius is generally set relative to the thickness of the material to ensure a smooth and accurate bend, often using a radius equal to the thickness itself or slightly larger.

In this scenario, if the material thickness is accounted for alongside the radius, the overall calculation aligns with the provided answer of 0.3436 inches. This value specifically relates to the amount of material that is required to create a bend at a specific radius and curvature, optimizing for the geometry of a 90° angle.

Therefore, the selected value, 0.3436 inches, accurately represents the necessary material to achieve a proper 90° bend when taking into consideration the typical variables