Approximate Shearing, Bending and Forming Capacities

Mild Steel Capacity 24 Ga. 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga. 12 Ga. 10 Ga.
FERROUS METALS
Iron – dead soft Same as Mild Steel
Steel – low carbon H.R. Same as Mild Steel
Iron – low carbon C.R. Same as Mild Steel
Steel – 40-50% carbon H.R. 28 Ga. 26 Ga. 24 Ga. 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga.
Steel – 1074, 1095 C.R. annealed spring steel 28 Ga. 26 Ga. 24 Ga. 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga.
Steel – low carbon C.R. HARD 26 Ga. 24 Ga. 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga. 12 Ga.
Stainless – annealed 28 Ga. 26 Ga. 24 Ga. 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga.
NON-FERROUS METALS
Aluminum – 1100 0, 2024 0, 3004 0, 5052 0, 5052 H32, 6061 T4, 6061 0, 6063 0, 6063 T4, 7075 0 .050 .060 .070 .090 .125 .150 .200 .3125
Aluminum – 2011 T3, 2014 T4, 2024 T3, 5086 H36, 6061 T6 .030 .036 .048 .063 .090 .105 .125 .150
Aluminum – 2014 T6, 7075 T4, 7075 T6 .015 .018 .024 .030 .036 .048 .060 .075
Copper – electrolytic 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga. 12 Ga. 10 Ga. 8 Ga.
Bronze – commercial 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga. 12 Ga. 10 Ga. 8 Ga.
Brass 70, 30 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga. 12 Ga. 10 Ga. 8 Ga.
Nickel alloys – inconel 600, monel R405, nickel 200A annealed 28 Ga. 26 Ga. 24 Ga. 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga.
Zinc – as rolled Same as Mild Steel
PLASTICS
ABS Compounds .060 .090 .120 .150 .200 .225 .250 .3125
Polycarbonate .048 .063 .075 .125 .125 .156 .188 .200
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS
Copper-clad epoxy laminate .058 .072 .086 .115 .150 .200 .250 .3125

Approximate Gauge Equivalents

Gauge 28 Ga. 26 Ga. 24 Ga. 22 Ga. 20 Ga. 18 Ga. 16 Ga. 14 Ga. 12 Ga. 11 Ga. 10 Ga.
Inches .015 .018 .024 .030 .036 .048 .060 .075 .105 .120 .135
mm .38 .46 .61 .76 1.00 1.25 1.60 2.00 2.70 3.05 3.50