C-Shaped Channels

 C-channel steel is a shape of steel section with a C-shaped cross-section, given by a vertical web and two horizontal parallel flanges that extend to only one side of the web.

The result is a shape similar to a capital letter C, but with 90-degree corners where the flanges meet the web.

Steel C-channel is often used where the design needs the steel section to have one completely flat side, for example where the web is welded to a wall or other flat surface.

Two steel C-channels can also be welded back to back, although it’s more common to specify I-shaped channel for this purpose.

Other names for C-channel steel

C-channel stainless steel is also referred to using several alternative names:

• U-channel steel
• Parallel flange channel steel (PFC steel)
• Structural channel steel

When ordering steel C-channel, the dimensions of the web and flanges are used to specify the size needed (see below).

What is a C-channel?

Aside from its overall shape, C-channel stainless steel is specified using several measurements:

• Depth of section (h)
• Width of section (b)
• Thickness of web (s)
• Thickness of flange (t)
• Depth between fillets (d)
• Root radius (r)

C-channel steel is designated using the depth and width of the section, and its mass per metre. For example, steel C-channel 430mm tall, 100mm wide and 64.4 kg per metre is designated as 430 x 100 x 64.

You can see a full list of our C-channel steel, ranging from 430 x 100 x 64 down to 100 x 50 x 10, on our website and in our downloadable PDF.

Uses for steel C-channels

As a steel channel with an inner recess, C-channel steel can be used as a conduit, e.g. to protect pipes or cables, in addition to its general structural applications.

Laid horizontally on its web, U-channel steel can also carry water and other fluids, or be used to create a run-off channel for spillages.

Because the flanges are only on one side of the web, steel C-channel is not as structurally strong as, for example, I-channel steel with flanges on both sides.

However, when welded against a wall or surface, the flat-back profile of C-channel stainless steel means it can be used to create strong wall-mounted rails and similar features, where I-shaped steel would be impossible to mount flush to the surface.

To place your order

Contact James Dunkerley Steels Limited today to place your order for C-channel steel from our available stock.

You can see detailed parameters (e.g. elastic and plastic modulus, buckling parameter and torsional index) for our full range of C-shaped steel sections on our PDF data sheet.

If you’re not sure what size you need, or you want to check the strength of a specific size under different forces, just ask and our team will be happy to help.

For any other help with C-shaped steel sections, or any of our structural steel and sectional steel range, you can contact James Dunkerley Steels Limited on 0161 624 3168 or email us at sales@dunkerley.co.uk.