Carbon Steel U-Channel
Product Overview
Carbon steel channel (U-channel, C-channel, or parallel flange channel) is a versatile hot-rolled structural section with a distinctive “C” cross-section — consisting of a web with two flanges on the same side. This asymmetric profile makes channels ideal for applications requiring high bending resistance in one plane with the open side providing access for connections, fastening, and cable routing.
Huaxia-Steel supplies carbon steel channels in heights from 50mm to 400mm conforming to UPN (European standard taper flange), UPE (European parallel flange), American Standard C-channel (ASTM A6), and JIS G3192 channel profiles. Standard lengths 6m and 12m with custom lengths available. All channels produced from fully killed, fine-grain carbon steel with full certification.
Standard Channel Dimensions and Section Properties
UPN Series (European Tapered Flange Channel)
| Profile | Height (mm) | Flange Width (mm) | Web (mm) | Flange (mm) | Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPN 50 | 50 | 38 | 5.0 | 7.0 | 5.59 |
| UPN 80 | 80 | 45 | 6.0 | 8.0 | 8.64 |
| UPN 100 | 100 | 50 | 6.0 | 8.5 | 10.6 |
| UPN 140 | 140 | 60 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 16.0 |
| UPN 160 | 160 | 65 | 7.5 | 10.5 | 18.8 |
| UPN 200 | 200 | 75 | 8.5 | 11.5 | 25.3 |
| UPN 260 | 260 | 90 | 10.0 | 14.0 | 37.9 |
| UPN 300 | 300 | 100 | 10.0 | 16.0 | 46.1 |
| UPN 400 | 400 | 110 | 14.0 | 18.0 | 71.8 |
American Standard C-Channel (C × Weight Designation)
| Designation | Depth (in/mm) | Flange Width (in/mm) | Web (in/mm) | Weight (lb/ft) | Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C 3 × 4.1 | 3.00 / 76 | 1.41 / 36 | 0.170 / 4.3 | 4.1 | 6.10 |
| C 6 × 8.2 | 6.00 / 152 | 1.92 / 49 | 0.200 / 5.1 | 8.2 | 12.20 |
| C 8 × 11.5 | 8.00 / 203 | 2.26 / 57 | 0.220 / 5.6 | 11.5 | 17.11 |
| C 10 × 15.3 | 10.00 / 254 | 2.60 / 66 | 0.240 / 6.1 | 15.3 | 22.77 |
| C 12 × 20.7 | 12.00 / 305 | 2.94 / 75 | 0.280 / 7.1 | 20.7 | 30.81 |
| C 15 × 33.9 | 15.00 / 381 | 3.40 / 86 | 0.400 / 10.2 | 33.9 | 50.45 |
Available Carbon Steel Grades
| Standard | Grade | Yield (MPa) | Tensile (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EN 10025-2 | S235JR / S275JR / S355J2 | 235–355 | 360–630 | 22–26 |
| ASTM A36 | A36 | 250 min | 400–550 | 20 |
| JIS G3101 | SS400 | 245 min | 400–510 | 17 |
| GB/T 700 | Q235B | 235 min | 370–500 | 26 |
| GB/T 1591 | Q345B | 345 min | 470–630 | 21 |
Manufacturing Process and Tolerances
Carbon steel channels are hot-rolled on section mills from continuously cast beam blanks. The asymmetric profile requires specialized roll pass design to achieve uniform flange and web dimensions. Key manufacturing steps mirror I-beam production: reheat, rough, intermediate, and finish rolling with online dimensional measurement systems ensuring profile accuracy.
Dimensional tolerances (per EN 10279):
- Height (h): ±2.0mm for h ≤180mm; ±3.0mm for h >180mm
- Flange width (b): ±2.0mm for b ≤75mm; +4.0/-1.0mm for b >75mm
- Web thickness (s): ±1.0mm for s ≤10mm; ±1.5mm for s >10mm
- Flange thickness (t): ±1.5mm (UPN), ±2.0mm (UPE and C-channel)
- Camber: Maximum 0.15% of length (1.5mm per meter)
- Twist: Maximum 1° per meter of length
Common Applications
Carbon steel channel sections are used across virtually every steel-intensive industry:
- Building frames: Secondary beams, lintels, wall girts, roof purlins, door/window frames
- Industrial structures: Equipment support frames, cable trays, pipe supports, monorail beams (back-to-back channels)
- Vehicle manufacturing: Truck chassis rails, trailer frames, bus body framing
- Agricultural equipment: Implement frames, header frames, loader arms
- Mining and material handling: Conveyor stringers, screen frames, crusher base frames
- Electrical infrastructure: Transmission tower legs and bracing, substation structures
- Marine and offshore: Stiffeners, bracket connections, walkway supports
- Racking and storage: Pallet racking uprights, shelving frames, mezzanine support beams
Surface Finish and Protection Options
Standard delivery condition: hot-rolled, mill finish. Mill scale provides basic atmospheric protection for 3–6 months in covered storage. For enhanced corrosion protection, the following options are available:
- Shot blasting: SA 2.5 (near-white metal) surface preparation for immediate painting
- Shop primer: Zinc-rich epoxy primer, 15–25 micron DFT, for 6–12 month protection during fabrication
- Hot-dip galvanizing: Per EN ISO 1461 or ASTM A123 — minimum 85 micron zinc coating for long-term corrosion protection
- Painting systems: Multi-coat systems per ISO 12944 for specific environmental categories (C3, C4, C5)
Quality Assurance and Certification
Every channel shipment from Huaxia-Steel is delivered with:
- EN 10204 Type 3.1 Mill Test Certificate with complete ladle and product analysis
- Mechanical properties: yield strength, tensile strength, elongation per applicable standard
- Charpy V-notch impact test results at specified temperature (where applicable)
- Dimensional conformance report with statistical measurements
- Heat number traceability stamped on every piece
- CE marking and Declaration of Performance for EU-destined products
- Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, TUV, Intertek) available on request
Packaging, Marking, and Shipping
Channels are assembled into compact bundles with the following packaging standard:
- Bundle configuration: Nested or stacked by size, 2–4 tons per bundle for safe handling
- Strapping: Minimum 4 steel straps per bundle; 6 straps for lengths exceeding 12m
- Corner protection: Steel edge protectors under all straps to prevent indentation
- Marking: Each channel individually stamped with heat number, grade, dimensions, and mill logo
- Bundle tag: Laminated tag with order number, dimensions, grade, heat number, piece count, bundle weight
- Rust protection: VCI film wrap or anti-rust oil coating for sea freight (>30 days transit)
Transport options: 20ft/40ft container for lengths up to 11.8m; 40ft OT (open top) or flat rack for lengths 12–15m; breakbulk vessel for quantities over 100 tons or lengths exceeding 15m.
Request a Quotation
For carbon steel channel pricing, stock availability, and shipping options, contact our structural sections team. Specify profile type (UPN/UPE/C-channel), size, grade, length, quantity, surface treatment requirements, and destination port. We deliver complete quotations with datasheets within 24 hours.
