What is the C- Channel Steel?
C channel steel, also called C-beam or channel steel, is a structural steel component featuring a cross-section shaped like the letter “C.” It is commonly produced using hot-rolled steel and is known for its broad, flat surface with two right-angled
flanges on each side. The outer borders are typically angled, and the corners are slightly rounded, improving structural strength and resistance to stress.
The term "C channel" refers to the profile of the rolled steel, which resembles a squared-off “C.” This shape may start as a
U-channel, and by adding flanges or bending them inward, it becomes a C-channel or a crimped C-channel, depending on the application.
Characteristics and Variations of C-Channel Steel
C-channel steel is available in a wide variety of sizes, thicknesses, and configurations, making it adaptable to different structural needs. Some variations even come pre-drilled with holes for bolting, while others feature short, inward-facing edges at the tips of the flanges for additional strength.
A common type is A36 hot-rolled steel C-channel, also known as American Standard Channels. These have a blue-grey rough finish, a flange slope of around 16-2/3%, and at least one non-length dimension exceeding 3 inches. They follow ASTM A36 / A36M-08, the standard for carbon structural steel.
Where is C-Channel Steel Used?
C-channel steel is highly versatile and widely used in multiple industries. Below are the most common applications:
Bridge Deck Supports: Offers durability and the ability to handle heavy loads and vibrations.
Heavy Machinery Framework: Its ability to flex without breaking makes it superior to stiffer I-beams and H-beams in some contexts.
Structural Supports: Ideal for trailers, construction equipment, and architectural elements such as frames and lintels.
Outdoor Infrastructure: Its corrosion-resistant variants—containing added nickel, copper, or chromium—make it suitable for light poles, towers, and marine environments.
Industrial Fabrication: A go-to material for equipment frames, racks, platforms, and support rails.
Compared to other structural products, C-channel steel is generally lighter and thinner, which makes it easy to handle while maintaining strength. However, it offers less flexibility than some hollow sections, so proper engineering evaluation is essential before use.
C Channels Steel Specifications
|
Item
|
Specification
|
|
Product Name
|
C Channel Steel / C Beam / Structural C Channel
|
|
Manufacturing Process
|
Hot Rolled
|
|
Available Standards
|
ASTM A36, ASTM A572, EN 10025, JIS G3192, GB/T 706, DIN 1026
|
|
Available Grades
|
ASTM A36, SS400, S235JR, S275JR, S355JR, ST37-2
|
|
Section Size
|
50 × 37 × 4.5 mm – 400 × 104 × 14.5 mm (Custom sizes available)
|
|
Length
|
6 m, 9 m, 12 m, or Customized
|
|
Thickness
|
According to standard specifications
|
|
Surface Finish
|
Black, Oiled, Painted, Hot-Dip Galvanized
|
|
Tolerance
|
According to ASTM, EN, JIS or GB standards
|
|
Processing Service
|
Cutting, Drilling, Punching, Welding, Galvanizing
|
|
Packing
|
Steel Straps, Waterproof Packaging, Export Standard Bundles
|
|
Applications
|
Construction, Steel Structures, Machinery, Bridges, Trailers, Industrial Equipment
|
C Channel Steel Sizes and Dimensions Table chart
|
(mm)
|
(mm)
|
|
a x b x r
|
1,2
|
1,4
|
1,5
|
1,8
|
2
|
2,2
|
2,3
|
2,5
|
2,8
|
3
|
3,2
|
|
C80x 40x 10
|
1,62
|
1,88
|
2,00
|
2,38
|
2,62
|
2,86
|
2,98
|
3,21
|
3,55
|
|
|
|
C80x 40x 15
|
1,72
|
1,99
|
2,12
|
2,51
|
2,78
|
3,03
|
3,16
|
3,4
|
3,77
|
|
|
|
C80x 50x 10
|
1,81
|
2,1
|
2,24
|
2,66
|
2,93
|
3,2
|
3,34
|
3,6
|
4
|
|
|
|
C80x 50x 15
|
1,9
|
2,21
|
2,36
|
2,8
|
3,09
|
3,38
|
3,52
|
3,8
|
4,21
|
|
|
|
C100x 40x 15
|
1,9
|
2,21
|
2,36
|
2,8
|
3,09
|
3,38
|
3,52
|
3,8
|
4,21
|
4,48
|
4,78
|
|
C100x 45x 13
|
1,96
|
2,27
|
2,43
|
2,89
|
3,19
|
3,48
|
3,63
|
3,92
|
4,34
|
4,62
|
4,93
|
|
C100x 45x 15
|
2
|
2,32
|
2,47
|
2,94
|
3,24
|
3,55
|
3,7
|
4
|
4,43
|
4,71
|
5,03
|
|
C100x 45x 20
|
2,09
|
2,42
|
2,59
|
3,08
|
3,4
|
3,72
|
3,88
|
4,19
|
4,65
|
4,95
|
5,28
|
|
C100x 50x 13
|
2,06
|
2,38
|
2,55
|
3,03
|
3,34
|
3,65
|
3,81
|
4,11
|
4,56
|
4,86
|
5,18
|
|
C100x 50x 15
|
2,09
|
2,43
|
2,59
|
3,08
|
3,4
|
3,72
|
3,88
|
4,19
|
4,65
|
4,95
|
5,28
|
|
C100x 50x 20
|
2,19
|
2,54
|
2,71
|
3,22
|
3,56
|
3,9
|
4,06
|
4,39
|
4,87
|
5,19
|
5,53
|
|
C 120x45x15
|
|
|
2,71
|
3,22
|
3,56
|
3,9
|
4,06
|
4,39
|
4,87
|
5,19
|
5,53
|
|
C 120x45x20
|
|
|
2,83
|
3,37
|
3,72
|
4,07
|
4,24
|
4,58
|
5,09
|
5,42
|
5,78
|
|
C 120x50x15
|
|
|
2,83
|
3,37
|
3,72
|
4,07
|
4,24
|
4,58
|
5,09
|
5,42
|
5,78
|
|
C 120x50x20
|
|
|
2,95
|
3,51
|
3,88
|
4,24
|
4,42
|
4,78
|
5,31
|
5,66
|
6,04
|
|
C 125x45x15
|
|
|
2,77
|
3,3
|
3,64
|
3,98
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C 125x45x20
|
|
|
2,89
|
3,44
|
3,8
|
4,15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C 140x50x15
|
|
|
|
3,65
|
4,03
|
4,41
|
4,6
|
4,98
|
5,53
|
5,89
|
6,29
|
|
C 140x50x20
|
|
|
|
3,79
|
4,19
|
4,59
|
4,78
|
5,17
|
5,75
|
6,13
|
6,54
|
|
C 140x60x15
|
|
|
|
3,93
|
4,35
|
4,76
|
4,96
|
5,37
|
5,97
|
6,37
|
6,79
|
|
C 140x60x20
|
|
|
|
4,07
|
4,5
|
4,93
|
5,14
|
5,57
|
6,19
|
6,6
|
7,04
|
|
C 150x50x15
|
|
|
|
3,79
|
4,19
|
4,59
|
4,78
|
5,17
|
5,75
|
6,13
|
6,54
|
|
C 150x50x20
|
|
|
3,3
|
3,93
|
4,35
|
4,76
|
4,96
|
5,37
|
5,97
|
6,37
|
6,79
|
|
C 150x60x15
|
|
|
3,42
|
4,07
|
4,5
|
4,93
|
5,14
|
5,57
|
6,19
|
6,6
|
7,04
|
|
C 150x60x20
|
|
|
3,53
|
4,21
|
4,66
|
5,1
|
5,32
|
5,76
|
6,4
|
6,83
|
7,29
|
|
C 150x65x15
|
|
|
3,53
|
4,213
|
4,66
|
5,1
|
5,32
|
5,76
|
6,4
|
6,84
|
7,29
|
|
C 150x65x20
|
|
|
3,65
|
4,35
|
4,82
|
5,28
|
5,5
|
5,96
|
6,63
|
7,07
|
7,54
|
|
C 160x65x15
|
|
|
|
3,93
|
4,35
|
4,76
|
4,96
|
5,37
|
5,97
|
6,37
|
6,79
|
|
C 160x65x20
|
|
|
|
4,07
|
4,5
|
4,93
|
5,14
|
5,57
|
6,19
|
6,6
|
7,04
|
|
C 180x55x15
|
|
|
|
4,35
|
4,82
|
5,28
|
5,5
|
5,96
|
6,63
|
7,07
|
7,54
|
|
C 180x55x20
|
|
|
|
4,5
|
4,98
|
5,45
|
5,69
|
6,15
|
6,85
|
7,31
|
7,79
|
|
C 180x60x15
|
|
|
|
4,5
|
4,98
|
5,45
|
5,69
|
6,15
|
6,85
|
7,31
|
7,79
|
|
C 180x60x20
|
|
|
|
4,64
|
5,13
|
5,62
|
5,87
|
6,35
|
7,07
|
7,54
|
8,04
|
|
C 180x65x15
|
|
|
|
4,64
|
5,13
|
5,62
|
5,87
|
6,35
|
7,07
|
7,54
|
8,04
|
|
C 180x65x20
|
|
|
|
4,78
|
5,29
|
5,8
|
6,05
|
6,55
|
7,29
|
7,78
|
8,3
|
|
C 200x50x15
|
|
|
|
4,5
|
4,98
|
5,45
|
5,69
|
6,15
|
6,85
|
7,31
|
7,79
|
|
C 200x50x20
|
|
|
|
4,64
|
5,13
|
5,62
|
5,87
|
6,35
|
7,07
|
7,54
|
8,05
|
|
C 200x65x15
|
|
|
|
4,92
|
5,45
|
5,97
|
6,23
|
6,74
|
7,51
|
8,01
|
8,55
|
|
C 200x65x20
|
|
|
|
5,06
|
5,6
|
6,14
|
6,41
|
6,94
|
7,73
|
8,25
|
8,8
|
|
C 200x70x15
|
|
|
|
5,06
|
5,6
|
6,14
|
6,41
|
6,94
|
7,73
|
8,25
|
8,8
|
|
C 200x70x20
|
|
|
|
5,2
|
5,76
|
6,31
|
6,59
|
7,14
|
7,95
|
8,49
|
9,05
|
|
C 220x65x15
|
|
|
|
|
5,76
|
6,31
|
6,59
|
7,14
|
7,95
|
8,49
|
9,05
|
|
C 220x65x20
|
|
|
|
|
5,92
|
6,49
|
6,77
|
7,33
|
8,17
|
8,72
|
9,3
|
|
C 220x70x15
|
|
|
|
|
5,92
|
6,49
|
6,77
|
7,33
|
8,17
|
8,72
|
9,3
|
|
C 220x70x20
|
|
|
|
|
6,07
|
6,66
|
6,95
|
7,53
|
8,39
|
8,96
|
9,55
|
|
C 220x75x15
|
|
|
|
|
6,07
|
6,66
|
6,95
|
7,53
|
8,39
|
8,96
|
9,55
|
|
C 220x75x20
|
|
|
|
|
6,23
|
6,83
|
7,13
|
7,72
|
8,61
|
9,19
|
9,8
|
|
C 250x75x15
|
|
|
|
|
6,55
|
7,18
|
7,49
|
8,12
|
9,05
|
9,66
|
10,31
|
|
C 250x75x20
|
|
|
|
|
6,7
|
7,35
|
7,67
|
8,31
|
9,27
|
9,9
|
10,56
|
|
C 250x80x15
|
|
|
|
|
6,7
|
7,35
|
7,67
|
8,31
|
9,27
|
9,9
|
10,56
|
|
C 250x80x20
|
|
|
|
|
6,86
|
7,52
|
7,85
|
8,51
|
9,49
|
10,13
|
10,81
|
|
C 300x75x15
|
|
|
|
|
7,33
|
8,04
|
8,39
|
9,1
|
10,15
|
10,84
|
11,56
|
|
C 300x75x20
|
|
|
|
|
7,49
|
8,21
|
8,57
|
9,29
|
10,37
|
11,08
|
11,81
|
|
C 300x80x15
|
|
|
|
|
7,49
|
8,21
|
8,57
|
9,29
|
10,37
|
11,08
|
11,81
|
|
C 300x80x20
|
|
|
|
|
7,64
|
8,39
|
8,76
|
9,49
|
10,59
|
11,31
|
12,07
|
C-Channel Steel Chemical Composition
|
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
|
|
Element
|
Percentage
|
|
C
|
0.26
|
|
Cu
|
0.2
|
|
Fe
|
99
|
|
Mn
|
0.75
|
|
P
|
0.04 max
|
|
S
|
0.05 max
|
C-Channel Steel Mechanical Information
|
Imperial
|
Metric
|
|
|
Density
|
0.282 lb/in3
|
7.8 g/cc
|
|
Ultimate Tensile Strength
|
58,000psi
|
400 MPa
|
|
Yield Tensile Strength
|
47,700psi
|
315 MPa
|
|
Shear Strength
|
43,500psi
|
300 MPa
|
|
Melting Point
|
2,590 - 2,670°F
|
1,420 - 1,460°C
|
|
Hardness Brinell
|
140
|
|
|
Production Method
|
Hot Rolled
|
|
How Is C-Channel Steel Manufactured?
The C-channel is produced through a streamlined process designed for strength and precision. Here are the key steps:
1. Cutting the Steel
Steel is first cut to the required size using heavy-duty cutting machines. Accuracy is essential to match structural specifications.
2. Hot-Rolling the Steel
The cut steel is heated to high temperatures to become malleable. It then passes through rollers to form the C shape. This hot-rolling method gives the channel its typical curved corners.
3. Cooling and Shaping
After shaping, the steel is cooled to retain its form and strength. Tools ensure the final dimensions are within standard tolerances.
4. Surface Coating
Finally, the C-channel is finished and coated—often galvanized or painted—to protect it from rust and corrosion. It is then ready for use in construction or industrial projects.
Feature of C-Channel Steel
1.Representative type of Ferrite stainless steel, with magnetic
2.Good cost performance, price stability
3.Good shaping capability, weld bending capability, high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion
C Channel Steel vs U Channel Steel
|
Item
|
C Channel
|
U Channel
|
|
Cross Section
|
C Shape
|
U Shape
|
|
Structural Strength
|
Higher
|
Moderate
|
|
Rigidity
|
Better
|
Lower
|
|
Applications
|
Structural Frames
|
Light Supports
|
|
Load Capacity
|
Higher
|
Lower
|
C channel steel generally provides better structural performance because of its enhanced flange design and greater resistance to bending.
Where Is C Channel Steel Used?
C channel steel is widely used in construction, infrastructure, transportation, and industrial manufacturing due to its high strength, lightweight design, and excellent load-bearing capacity. It is commonly used for bridge deck supports, building frames, machinery bases, trailers, storage racks, and structural reinforcement.
Its distinctive C-shaped cross-section provides excellent rigidity while remaining easy to fabricate, weld, and install. Compared with many other structural steel sections, C channel steel offers an efficient balance between strength and weight, making it suitable for a wide range of engineering applications.
For outdoor projects, galvanized or corrosion-resistant C channel steel is ideal for light poles, communication towers, solar mounting systems, marine structures, and construction equipment. With protective coatings, it delivers long-lasting performance even in harsh environments.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is C channel steel used for?
C channel steel is commonly used in building structures, bridge supports, trailers, machinery, industrial platforms, storage systems, and infrastructure projects.
Is C channel steel stronger than U channel steel?
Generally, yes. The flange configuration of C channel steel provides greater rigidity and improved resistance to bending under structural loads.
Can C channel steel be galvanized?
Yes. Hot-dip galvanized C channel steel offers enhanced corrosion resistance and is widely used for outdoor and marine environments.
What standards are available?
Common standards include
ASTM, EN, JIS, GB, DIN, and BS.
Conclusion
C channel steel is one of the most versatile structural steel products available today. Its combination of high strength, lightweight design, excellent weldability, and cost efficiency makes it an ideal choice for construction, infrastructure, transportation, and industrial applications. Available in multiple international standards, sizes, and material grades, C channel steel can be customized to meet a wide variety of engineering requirements. Selecting the appropriate dimensions, steel grade, and surface treatment will ensure reliable performance and long service life in demanding structural environments.
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