Abstract <p>The springback of sheet metal workpieces after load removal is a problem in metal forming technologies because it makes it difficult to achieve the desired part shapes. This problem can be solved by, for example, post-deformation heating of the workpieces prior to load removal, but this is an energy- and time-consuming operation that increases the price of the product. An alternative method that has been actively researched in recent years is post-deformation electrical pulse treatment of workpieces. The potential of this technology to improve the sheet metal forming process has not been fully explored, and in this study it is applied to the bending of sheets of grade 5 titanium alloy. The effect of sheet thickness and electrical pulse treatment parameters on the springback effect is experimentally investigated. The microstructure of the material in the plastic deformation zone is analyzed. It is shown that the springback is more pronounced in thin plates because the relative thickness of the elastic core is greater in this case. By properly choosing the parameters of the electric pulse treatment, the springback can be completely eliminated in thinner plates and significantly reduced in thicker plates. Springback is reduced due to the α–β phase transformation observed in the zone affected by Joule heating. The zone affected by the temperature is enriched with iron, up to 14–16% by weight, which is injected into the alloy by the erosion of the steel punch acting as an electrode. In this way, electrical pulse treatment can be used to reduce the springback effect and to modify the chemical composition of the alloy in the zone of contact with the electrodes.</p>