K-Factor
A ratio (0–0.5) locating the neutral axis within the material thickness during bending.
What it means on the floor
The K-factor is the ratio of the distance from the inside surface to the neutral axis, divided by the material thickness. It captures how far the neutral axis shifts toward the inside of the bend as the material is formed.
K-factor typically ranges from about 0.33 to 0.50. Softer materials and larger radii push K higher; tighter radii and harder materials lower it. A value near 0.44 is a common starting point for air-bending mild steel, but the only reliable K-factor is one calibrated from your own test bends.
Category: Forming
Applying the term
Interpret K-Factor in the context of the drawing, governing standard, and customer requirement in front of you — the same word can carry different limits in design, quality, and production documents. Check whether a stated value is nominal, minimum, maximum, or reference-only, and whether it applies before forming, after forming, or after heat treatment.