Stainless Steel Channels
Giriraj Impex stocks, supplies and exports stainless steel channels – C and U channels – to ASTM A276 and ASTM A484 in grades 304, 304L, 316 and 316L, with 321, 310S and duplex 2205 on request. We supply stainless steel channels from approved mills hot rolled and annealed, laser fused to ASTM A1069, or bent from sheet and plate, in standard mill sizes and lengths or cut to length, with mill test certificates.
Stainless steel channels are used for frames, equipment bases, supports and trims in food, pharmaceutical, chemical, marine and architectural work, where their flat back makes them easy to fix to other members.
Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Standards | ASTM A276 and A479 (hot rolled); ASTM A484 (tolerances); ASTM A1069 (laser fused); ASTM A240 (bent from plate) |
| Grades | 304, 304L, 316, 316L; 321, 310S, duplex 2205 on request |
| Types | C channels and U channels; hot rolled, laser fused or bent |
| Sizes | Standard mill sizes; other sizes on enquiry |
| Length | Standard mill lengths, typically 6 m, or cut to length |
| Finish | Annealed and pickled; brushed or polished on request |
| Documents | Mill test certificate (MTC); third-party inspection on request |
Chemical composition and mechanical properties
The ASTM A240 limits below are typical of 304/304L and 316/316L; bar standards A276 and A479 give similar limits.
| Grade | UNS | C | Mn | P | S | Si | Cr | Ni | Mo | N |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | S30400 | 0.07 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 17.5–19.5 | 8.0–10.5 | – | 0.10 |
| 304L | S30403 | 0.030 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 17.5–19.5 | 8.0–12.0 | – | 0.10 |
| 316 | S31600 | 0.08 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–14.0 | 2.00–3.00 | 0.10 |
| 316L | S31603 | 0.030 | 2.00 | 0.045 | 0.030 | 0.75 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–14.0 | 2.00–3.00 | 0.10 |
Other elements and footnotes as given in the standard.
| Grade | Tensile strength, MPa (ksi) | Yield strength, MPa (ksi) | Elongation in 50 mm, % | Reduction of area, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 304 | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 30 | 40 |
| 304L | 485 (70) | 170 (25) | 30 | 40 |
| 316 | 515 (75) | 205 (30) | 30 | 40 |
| 316L | 485 (70) | 170 (25) | 30 | 40 |
Chemical composition as given in ASTM A479 / A276 for each grade.
Choosing the grade
304 / 304L is the general-purpose grade for indoor structures, food and dairy plants and architecture away from the coast. 316 / 316L is chosen for coastal and marine sites, chemical and pharmaceutical plants, water treatment and wherever chlorides are present. 321 and 310S are used for high-temperature supports and furnace structures, and duplex 2205 where higher strength and chloride resistance are needed. The low-carbon L grades are preferred for welded structures.
Hot rolled, laser fused or bent
Hot-rolled stainless channels are rolled from billet and annealed; they have slightly rounded corners and are the standard choice for structural use. Laser-fused sections are made by fusing strips together with a laser beam, giving sharp corners, close tolerances and sizes not available from rolling mills. Bent sections are press-brake formed from sheet or plate, with an inside radius at the corners; they are economical for lighter sections and special profiles.
Surface finish
Hot-rolled sections are supplied annealed and pickled, with a matt surface. Laser-fused sections have a pickled or brushed finish. For architectural and visible work, sections can be supplied polished – for example No. 4 or 320 grit brushed – with protective film on request. Surface finish should be stated in the order, because it affects appearance, cleanability and corrosion behaviour.
Channel shapes and sizes
Channels are described by depth (web height), flange width and thickness – for example 100 × 50 × 6 mm. Hot-rolled stainless channels follow the mill's standard profiles, usually with parallel or slightly tapered flanges. Laser-fused channels can be made with thin webs and thick flanges, or to dimensions matching mild steel sections such as ISMC or UPN, which is useful when replacing mild steel members with stainless in an existing structure. Bent channels are used for lighter sections, trims and covers.
Fabrication and care
Stainless channels are cut by saw or abrasive disc, drilled and welded with matching filler – 308L for 304, 316L for 316. Welds are pickled and passivated to restore corrosion resistance. Use dedicated tools and keep stainless separate from carbon steel to avoid iron contamination, and use stainless or insulated fasteners to prevent galvanic corrosion at connections.
Weight, packing and storage
Stainless channels are sold by weight or by length. Theoretical weight is calculated from the cross-section and a density of about 7.9–8.0 g/cm³ – slightly heavier than mild steel – and can be checked with our weight calculator. Sections are bundled and tagged with grade, size and heat number, wrapped to protect polished surfaces, and packed in wooden crates or on pallets for export. Store stainless sections indoors or under cover, off the ground on timber, and away from carbon steel to prevent contamination and rust spotting.
Replacing mild steel channels
When replacing corroded mild steel channels with stainless steel in an existing structure, check that the stainless section has equal or greater section properties, because hot-rolled stainless profiles may differ in dimensions from Indian Standard or European mild steel sections. Laser-fused stainless sections can be made to match mild steel profiles exactly. Use stainless or insulated fasteners at connections to mild steel members.
Applications and related products
Stainless steel channels are used for equipment skids and bases, structural frames and purlins in hygienic and corrosive environments, cable and pipe supports, conveyor frames, marine structures and architectural framing. All materials are on the channels page. In stainless steel we also supply seamless pipes, welded pipes, tubes, flanges, pipe fittings, sheets, plates, round bars, fasteners, coils, circles, wires, angles, flats, rings. Grade information is on the stainless steel page.
Frequently Asked Questions
ASTM A276 and A479 cover hot-rolled stainless shapes including channels, with tolerances in ASTM A484; laser-fused sections are covered by ASTM A1069.
Both have a web and two flanges; the names are often used interchangeably, with U channels sometimes meaning sections with a rounded or deeper profile.
They are hot rolled, laser fused from strips, or bent from sheet and plate on a press brake.
304 or 304L is common; 316L is used where cleaning chemicals or products contain chlorides.
Yes. Channels can be supplied brushed or polished with protective film.
Yes. Channels are supplied in standard lengths or cut to the lengths required.
Request a Quote for Stainless Steel Channels
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