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Highlights • A developed analytical model of bending characteristics for bimetal composite was presented. • The movement behaviour of bonding interface relative to neutral and unelongated planes was studied. • Analytical, FE and experimental investigations were conducted on the bending behaviours of bimetal composite. Abstract Analytical, numerical and experimental investigations were conducted on the bending characteristics of duplex stainless steel (2205) and low carbon steel (AH36) bimetal composite in this study, with the aim of providing a reference for the bending and forming processing optimisation of laminated metal composite. An analytical model was developed to predict the deformation behaviour of each segment and particular planes, such as neutral plane, unelongated plane and bonding interface, across thickness section under the plane strain condition during the bending process. The movement track of segments presents that it is better for the bonding interface to avoid experiencing the reverse loaded zone (RLZ) in forming fabrications for less potential defects, and the neutral plane is discontinuous while coinciding with the bonding interface. The thickness change and bending moment of bimetal plate were calculated as a function of the increasing bending curvature by the proposed theoretical model under four conditions classified by different thickness ratios and relative positions of component steel layers. The predicted results show that the relative position affects the thickness change of bent composite plate, but the thickness ratio has a more significant effect on the magnitude of bending moment, as confirmed by finite element (FE) simulation and bending experiments. Graphical abstract Image, graphical abstract [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]