Cold Formed Z Section Carbon Steel — Factory Direct Supplier
Cold formed Z sections are thin-walled structural steel profiles shaped from hot-rolled or cold-rolled strip by roll-forming at room temperature. Their Z-shaped cross-section provides efficient material distribution for flexural and axial loading, making them ideal for purlins, girts, and structural framing in steel buildings, solar mounting structures, and industrial racking.
Huaxia-Steel manufactures cold formed Z sections from carbon steel strip in a wide range of sizes, with optional hot-dip galvanizing for corrosion protection. All sections are produced to EN 10162, ASTM A1003, or GB/T 6725 standards.
Product Overview
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Profile type | Z section (cold formed) |
| Material standard | EN 10162, ASTM A1003, GB/T 6725 |
| Steel grade | S235JR, S275JR, S355JR, A36, A572 Gr50 |
| Section depth | 100 mm to 400 mm |
| Flange width | 40 mm to 80 mm |
| Thickness | 1.5 mm to 6.0 mm |
| Length | Up to 12,000 mm (custom cut to length) |
| Surface treatment | Uncoated, pre-galvanized (Z275-Z350), or hot-dip galvanized |
| Tolerance standard | EN 10162, ASTM A1003 |
Dimensional Specifications
Standard Z Section Sizes
| Designation | Depth h (mm) | Flange b (mm) | Lip c (mm) | Thickness t (mm) | Weight (kg/m) | Section modulus W (cm3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Z100x40x15x2.0 | 100 | 40 | 15 | 2.0 | 3.42 | 11.8 |
| Z120x50x20x2.5 | 120 | 50 | 20 | 2.5 | 5.16 | 21.5 |
| Z140x50x20x2.5 | 140 | 50 | 20 | 2.5 | 5.45 | 26.8 |
| Z160x60x20x3.0 | 160 | 60 | 20 | 3.0 | 7.20 | 41.2 |
| Z180x70x20x3.0 | 180 | 70 | 20 | 3.0 | 7.85 | 49.5 |
| Z200x70x25x3.0 | 200 | 70 | 25 | 3.0 | 8.15 | 57.8 |
| Z250x80x25x3.5 | 250 | 80 | 25 | 3.5 | 11.10 | 92.5 |
| Z300x90x30x4.0 | 300 | 90 | 30 | 4.0 | 14.80 | 140.2 |
| Z350x100x30x4.5 | 350 | 100 | 30 | 4.5 | 18.50 | 195.8 |
| Z400x100x30x5.0 | 400 | 100 | 30 | 5.0 | 21.20 | 248.5 |
Custom profiles can be manufactured to customer drawings. Tooling cost for new profiles ranges from $2,000 to $8,000 depending on complexity.
Material Grades and Properties
| Grade | Standard | Yield (MPa) | Tensile (MPa) | Elongation % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S235JR | EN 10025-2 | 235 | 360-510 | 26 |
| S275JR | EN 10025-2 | 275 | 410-560 | 23 |
| S355JR | EN 10025-2 | 355 | 470-630 | 22 |
| A36 | ASTM A36 | 250 | 400-550 | 23 |
| A572 Gr50 | ASTM A572 | 345 | 450-620 | 21 |
For galvanized Z sections, the substrate steel is typically S350GD or S550GD per EN 10346, with yield strengths of 350 MPa and 550 MPa respectively.
Manufacturing Standards
- EN 10162: Cold formed sections of carbon steel — technical delivery conditions
- ASTM A1003/A1003M: Standard for steel sheet, carbon, metallic-coated or non-metallic-coated for cold-formed framing members
- GB/T 6725: Cold formed steel hollow sections (Chinese national standard)
- EN 1090-2: Execution of steel structures (for fabricated assemblies)
- Tolerance class: EN 10162 Class B (standard) or Class A (precision)
Applications
- Solar mounting structures: Z-section purlins for PV panel support frames
- Steel building purlins: Roof and wall purlins in portal frame buildings
- Wall girts: Horizontal wall framing for metal-clad buildings
- Industrial racking: Upright and beam components for storage racking
- Agricultural buildings: Barn and warehouse structural framing
- Modular construction: Light steel framing components
Quality Assurance
- Material certification per EN 10204 3.1 with chemistry and mechanical properties
- Dimensional inspection: depth, flange width, lip length, thickness, straightness
- Galvanized coating thickness measurement (magnetic method per ISO 2178)
- Bend test: no cracking at 180 degrees per EN 10162
- Surface inspection: no cracks, laps, or excessive rust
- Marking: grade, size, length, heat number, manufacturer
Packaging and Shipping
- Bundled with steel straps, 5-10 sections per bundle depending on size
- Timber bearers between layers for fork-lift handling
- VCI anti-corrosion paper for export shipments
- Container loading: 20ft (max 6m), 40ft (max 12m)
- Custom cut-to-length available: 3m, 6m, 9m, 12m standard
Why Choose Huaxia-Steel?
- Roll-forming line for Z sections up to 400 mm depth
- In-line galvanizing capability (pre-galvanized strip) and post-forming HDG
- Standard sections in stock; custom profiles with 2-3 week lead time
- EN 10204 3.1 MTC included with every order
- Competitive pricing for both stock and custom profiles
- Punched holes, notches, and cut-to-length available as value-added services
FAQ
What is the difference between Z section and C section purlins?
Z sections have equal flange widths on both sides, allowing them to nest and overlap at supports. C sections have unequal flanges and are used where one-sided support is needed. Z sections are preferred for multi-span purlin systems because they can be lapped at interior supports.
What thickness do I need for solar mounting structures?
For typical ground-mounted solar structures, 2.0-3.0 mm thickness is common for Z-section purlins. The exact thickness depends on span, wind load, and snow load. Consult a structural engineer for site-specific requirements.
Are galvanized Z sections available?
Yes. Pre-galvanized Z sections (Z275-Z350 g/sqm coating) are standard for outdoor applications. Hot-dip galvanized sections (Z600-Z900) are available for severe environments. Bare steel sections can be painted or powder-coated per customer specification.
Get a Quote
Contact Huaxia-Steel for cold formed Z sections with factory-direct pricing, custom sizing, and worldwide shipping. Send your section requirements, steel grade, and coating specification for a detailed quotation.
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