Steel channels are used ideally as supports and
guide rails. These are roll-formed products. The main metal used for
making channels is steel along with aluminum. There are certain
variations that are available in the channels category, the
categorization is mainly on the shape of the channel, the varieties are
mentioned below:
- J channels: This kind of channel has two legs
and a web. One leg is longer. This channel resembles the letter-J.
- Hat channels: This channel has legs that are
folded in the outward direction resembling an old fashioned man's
hat.
- U channels: This the most common and basic
channel variety. It has a base known as a web and two equal length
legs.
- C channels: In this channel the legs are
folded back in the channel and resembles the letter-C. C channels
are known as rests.
- Hemmed channels: In this kind of channel the
top of the leg is folded hence forming double thickness.
There are other variations of channels that are available, which
are customized according to the customer's needs.
Application
Steel channels are subjected to a wide array of applications. The
application fields are:
- Construction
- Appliances
- Transportation
- Used in making Signposts
- Used in wood flooring for athletic purposes
- Used in installing and making windows and doors
A major variant of the channel is the mild steel channel. Such
channels are generally used in heavy industries. They are used in the
heavy machinery industry and automotive industry too. The mild steel
channel is divided into three major variants, namely:
-
Lipped
channels: The letters "LL" denote the Lipped channels.
In the diagram, the number following the letters, the nominal web
dimension of the channel is indicated by the first three digits. The
measurements are in millimeters.
- Plain channels: Such channels are represented
by the letters "LC". The numbers after the letters denote
the web dimensions of the channel measured in millimeters.
The thickness of the material is denoted by the last two digits and
is measured in the tenth of millimeter.
