Steel is the most versatile material in the construction industry due to its various advantages such as high durability and strength when compared to timber or concrete. The steel building structure can be built with different types of frames, for example, single slope, multi-span, clear-span. It consists of multiple steel columns, beams, channels that are welded, bolted, and riveted together. It is much easier and less time-consuming when using steel to set up the building structure.
The steel channel has a cross-section that likes a C shape with a straight back and two perpendicular extensions on the bottom and top. It is produced from a roll forming process on the sheet of metal. During the roll forming process, the metal sheet will pass through a series of consecutive rollers that deform part of the metal until it is formed into the desired shape. After completion of shaping and configuring, the formed metal sheet will be cut into the required length. It is an effective method to produce steel channels in large quantities without additional processing. There are few types of metal used to form the channel, which are stainless steel, carbon steel, aluminum, brass, and copper. Carbon steel is the most commonly used material type for channels. The choice of material types largely depends on the application and function. For instance, aluminum is a light metal that is suitable to be used for secondary supports, shelves, lighting fixtures, window frames, or some lightweight ladders. Steel is widely used for building rafters or studs in the construction industry or as support for different types of heavy-duty machinery.
Steel channel is available in a wide range of designs, sizes, and thicknesses which are capable of different types of structural capacities and applications. C channel is the most common type of steel channel. Other profile designs such as Hat channel, U channel, and J channel are available for a wide range of applications. Some designs of steel channels have short inward-facing lips located at the end of the extensions that parallel to the back, it can provide stronger structural support. Other types may have special designs, notches, holes for bolting and fastening purposes that make the connectivity easy. The fastening of steel channels is using bolts or rivets which have made them become more rigid and secure.
Steel channels offer a wide array of applications. The most common applications are as structural support for roofs, walls, and ceilings.
Applications of Steel Channel
Metal Building
Many commercial, industrial buildings or infrastructure such as bridges, railings, guardrails are built with a variety of steel products. Steel channel is one of the key components of these metal buildings and bridges. It can be used as braces, studs, girts, or joints for the application. Steel channels are used with I-beams to provide rigidness and strength to the whole building structure as they can be bolted, welded, and riveted easily in place.
Roof
Steel channels can be used for heavy and light-duty roofing structures. For light-duty roofs, it is used as rafters that running from the eaves to the ridge of the roof to provide support for the roof decking. While for heavy-duty roofs, I beams are applied as the ridge and rafters, the steel channels are placed perpendicularly on top of the rafter every few feet along the ridge down to the eave. This has allowed the channel to bridge the gap between the rafters and provide attachment points for the roof deck. Compared to the wood, steel channel is able to offer the same weight-bearing capability and longer properties at smaller sizes and lighter weights than wood rafters. It is also more resistant to the damage caused by moisture and decay. These features have made the steel channel the preferred choice for roof structures.
Wall
Another common use of steel channels is for building walls. It is rigid and able to handle a great amount of weight and force. It can be used as vertical support for the wall structure or bare usage as the wall. It is popular to be found in industrial buildings such as workshops, warehouses, or garages. Steel channel also can be as the horizontal component that provides attachment points and allows more distance between the vertical poles without reducing the overall strength of the wall.
Beam Support
For some wooden frame buildings, the steel channel will be used together with the wood beam to provide extra support to the building structure. A larger steel channel can be used to cover the wood beam and provide extra strength to the beam structure. The wood beam that is placed inside of the steel channel also can provide an easy attachment point for those components. Whereas, a smaller steel channel is placed at the bottom of the beam and supported by the post.
Door and Window Frame
Due to its high durability, strength, and non-flammable characteristic, the steel channel is popular to be used as the frame of the fire door or basement door for higher security purposes. The shape of the steel channel allows it easy to slide into the door or window opening and provides a flat surface in the opening which is more secure than the wooden frame.
MecHero Malaysia provides a wide variety of sizes and types of steel channels for building structures or other purposes. You can always contact us at +6011-7000 7687 or email us at my.mechero@gmail.com for an inquiry about the supply of steel channels and other steel products in Malaysia. As a steel and online hardware store Malaysia, we also supply a wide range of steel materials, general hardware, or mechanical components. Tell us your requirements now and we can advise you accordingly.
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