Angle materials

• Stainless steel angles – 304/304L, 316/316L and other grades, hot rolled, laser fused or bent from sheet, for corrosive, hygienic and architectural use.
• MS angles – mild steel to IS 2062 E250 and E350, ASTM A36 and EN 10025, for general structures and fabrication.

Types of angles

Equal angles have two legs of the same length; unequal angles have one longer leg, which gives more stiffness in one direction. Angles are described by leg lengths and thickness – for example 50 × 50 × 6 mm or 2" × 2" × ¼". Stainless angles are made in three ways: hot rolled and annealed, with slightly rounded root and toes; laser fused from strip or plate, with sharp corners and close tolerances; and bent (cold formed) from sheet or plate, with an inside radius at the corner, used for lighter sections and special sizes.

Standards and sizes

Mild steel grades

Yield strength reduces for thicker sections as given in each standard. The sub-grade letter in IS 2062 and EN 10025 indicates impact testing (for example BR or J2), which matters for structures in cold climates or under dynamic loads.

Choosing stainless or mild steel angles

Mild steel angles are the economical choice for most structures and are painted or galvanised for corrosion protection. Stainless steel angles cost more but need no coating and resist corrosion for the life of the structure, so they are chosen for food and pharmaceutical plants, chemical plants, coastal and offshore structures, water treatment, and architectural work where appearance matters. When stainless and mild steel parts are joined, insulating washers or coatings help prevent galvanic corrosion of the mild steel.

Fabrication

Angles are cut by saw or shear, drilled or punched for bolted connections, and welded. Mild steel angles weld easily with standard consumables. Stainless angles are welded with matching filler – 308L for 304, 316L for 316 – and welds are pickled and passivated to restore corrosion resistance. Fabricators should keep stainless and carbon steel work separate and use dedicated tools to prevent iron contamination and rust spots.

Applications

Angles are used for structural frames, equipment supports and skids, pipe supports and brackets, platforms, walkways and handrails, cable trays and ladders, transmission and telecom towers, storage racks, conveyor frames, door and window frames, and general fabrication. Related sections are on our channels, beams and flats pages, and all products on the products page.

Weight, handling and storage

Angles are sold by weight or by length. Theoretical weight per metre is calculated from the cross-section and the density – 7.85 g/cm³ for mild steel and about 7.9–8.0 g/cm³ for stainless steel – and can be checked with our weight calculator. Actual weights vary with rolling tolerances, so invoiced weights are based on the weighed or calculated figures agreed with the order. Bundles are sized for safe handling by crane or forklift.

Store structural sections off the ground on timber bearers, under cover where possible, and keep stainless steel apart from mild steel to avoid contamination and rust staining. Galvanised sections should be stacked with spacers so that rainwater can drain, preventing white rust.

Galvanising and coatings

Mild steel angles for outdoor structures, towers and cable supports are often hot-dip galvanised to IS 4759 or ASTM A123, giving a zinc coating that protects the steel for many years in most atmospheres. Where galvanising is not practical, angles are shot blasted and painted with a primer and finish coats suited to the environment. Stainless steel angles need no coating; a pickled and passivated surface, or a brushed or polished finish for architectural work, keeps its appearance for longest.

Quality checks

Before dispatch, angles are checked against the order for grade, size, length and quantity, and the heat numbers on the material are matched to the mill test certificates. Straightness and surface condition are inspected visually, and dimensions are checked against the tolerances of the product standard. For project orders, material can be marked with item or tag numbers, colour coded by grade, and packed by delivery area to make site receiving easier. Third-party inspection by the buyer's nominated agency can be arranged at our premises.

Documents and ordering

All structural sections are supplied with mill test certificates (MTC) showing heat number, chemistry and mechanical properties, and third-party inspection is available on request. Sections are bundled and tagged with grade, size and heat number; stainless sections are packed with protection to keep them separate from carbon steel and free of surface contamination.

Please give the material and grade, equal or unequal, leg sizes and thickness, length, finish, quantity and any inspection requirement.