Bending Stainless Steel

[nial]

Had two SS chainplates bent at right angles, tried to straighten 'em but couldn't get them right. I will remove them from the boat and either make replacements or heat the old ones cherry red and try to straighten them. Are they permanently weakened and should I scrap them?
nial

[nv5l]

I'd replace them, but just out of curiosity, how did they get bent?

[GordMay]

The fact that they got bent (@ right angles, no less) suggests that they were too small, for the load, and (probably) misaligned; both assumptions suggesting replacement (with better design & construction).

[SkiprJohn]

Do not heat the stainless cherry red. It will weaken it and cause crevice corrosion early. If you need to work stainless bar stock bend it very slowly, don't bang on it.
Good luck,

[David M]

They are no longer as strong as original. I couldn't tell you by how much.

[daddle]

If these chain plates are for a boat they are scrap metal now. I'd make new ones. There's a trick to bending stainless...and it's not going to happen in a simple shop.

[bangkaboat]

What these other posters said!