DIN 50111 is a legacy German standard for a technological bend test used to evaluate the bendability (plastic deformability) of metallic materials under defined conditions.
It is most often encountered as a referenced requirement in older material or product specifications. If you need help mapping an existing drawing or procurement requirement to the correct current method, talk with our team.
DIN 50111: Testing of metallic materials; bend test (technological bending / bend-over test)
DIN 50111 is a withdrawn DIN document historically used for bend testing of metallic materials. In practice, it is typically used as a formability/ductility check by bending a specimen to a specified angle and assessing the result (often including surface cracking or other visible damage criteria as required by the calling product specification).
Document status: The DIN 50111:1987-09 edition is withdrawn and has been replaced by DIN EN ISO 7438 (bend test). Always follow the exact standard and edition cited in the controlling specification or customer requirement.
Quick definition
DIN 50111 in one line: A technological bend test method for metallic materials used to evaluate plastic deformability by bending a test piece to a defined angle under stated conditions.
What This Standard Covers
DIN 50111 addresses a bend test for metallic material specimens. The core concept is controlled plastic deformation in bending to a specified bend angle, using a defined fixture arrangement and test conditions.
Because DIN 50111 is a legacy reference, the detailed setup and acceptance criteria are often driven by the product standard that cites it (for example: which specimen form is allowed, the required bend angle, and what constitutes an unacceptable crack or defect).
Why This Standard Matters in Testing
Bend testing is widely used as a practical screening tool for formability and ductility. It can support incoming inspection, process validation, comparative material checks, or qualification steps where bending performance is a functional requirement.
For equipment selection and quoting, the biggest impact is typically fixture style (guided bend vs. wrap/bend-over arrangements), force capacity, and specimen size range—more than high-precision strain measurement.
Common Materials, Product Types, or Applications Covered
DIN 50111 bend testing is generally associated with metallic materials and semi-finished or finished metallic products where a bend requirement is specified.
Common examples: Specimens taken from metal products (as defined by the controlling material/product standard), used for bendability checks during qualification or quality control.
Common Test or Verification Workflow
Most DIN 50111-style bend testing programs follow a straightforward workflow:
- Confirm the controlling requirement (the drawing, purchase order, or product/material standard) including the cited standard edition and bend angle/acceptance criteria.
- Prepare or machine the specimen as required by the calling document.
- Select the appropriate bend fixture arrangement for specimen geometry and thickness/diameter.
- Bend to the specified angle under controlled conditions.
- Evaluate results per the acceptance criteria (commonly including visual assessment of cracking or other damage, as defined by the requirement).
Equipment Commonly Used for This Standard
DIN 50111 bend testing is commonly performed using a mechanical test frame or press with a bend test fixture. The exact configuration depends on specimen form and the bend method required by the controlling specification.
Common equipment families: Universal testing machines (UTMs) or hydraulic presses; bend test fixtures (supports and mandrels/rollers); angle/position measurement tools as needed; basic inspection tools for post-bend evaluation.
Selection cautions that affect quoting: Maximum specimen size, required bend angle, fixture type (and changeover needs), available stroke/daylight, and the force capacity needed to bend the thickest/strongest material in your scope.
If you are comparing fixture styles or load-frame capacity for your specimen range, you can request a detailed quote for a bend-test setup matched to your lab workflow.
How to Read This Designation or Revision
DIN standards are frequently cited with a date (year-month) that identifies the edition. For this standard, DIN 50111:1987-09 is a known withdrawn edition.
Legacy vs. current: DIN 50111 has been replaced by DIN EN ISO 7438. When a customer requirement calls out “DIN 50111” without an edition, the safest approach is to clarify whether DIN EN ISO 7438 is acceptable, or whether a specific legacy DIN edition is contractually required.
Related Standards, Methods, or Frameworks
DIN EN ISO 7438: The successor bend test standard commonly used today for metallic materials bend testing (German adoption of EN ISO/ISO bend test methodology).
Get help specifying a DIN 50111 / bend test setup
If you need to run bend tests for metallic materials and want to match fixture style, capacity, and specimen range to the requirement on your drawing or purchase order, contact our team to discuss your application and the cited standard edition.