If you are looking for reliable ASTM A588 weathering steel channels for bridges, structural engineering, transportation equipment, and outdoor projects, we supply ASTM A588 C channels and U channels manufactured to ASTM standards.
ASTM A588 channel steel is a high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) weathering steel containing copper (Cu 0.20%–0.40%), chromium (Cr 0.40%–0.65%), and nickel (Ni 0.25%–0.50%). These elements form a stable protective patina layer, significantly improving atmospheric corrosion resistance.
It effectively solves issues such as rusting, frequent maintenance, coating failure, and reduced service life found in ordinary carbon steel channels.
Compared with A36 steel, ASTM A588 offers 2–4 times better corrosion resistance, an extended service life of 20–50 years in outdoor environments, and 30%–70% lower maintenance costs, making it ideal for bridges, railways, ports, heavy vehicles, and outdoor steel structures.
ASTM A588 channel steel is produced under strict structural steel tolerance control to ensure consistent length, straightness, and cross-sectional stability for both C and U channels. Straightness is typically controlled within ≤1.5 mm/m, while dimensional tolerances are generally within ±2% or ±2.5 mm (whichever is lesser), ensuring reliable fit-up in large-scale steel structure assembly.
This dimensional stability helps reduce installation issues such as misalignment, connection deviation, welding stress concentration, and on-site rework caused by section variations. It also improves construction efficiency by reducing cutting and adjustment work, increasing overall installation efficiency by about 15%–25%.
ASTM A588 channel steel features stable mechanical property control, with a typical minimum yield strength of not less than 345 MPa. It provides high load-bearing capacity while maintaining good toughness and formability.
This effectively prevents issues such as brittle cracking caused by excessive material hardness and deformation instability resulting from insufficient strength. As a result, it ensures reliable structural safety under long-term outdoor loading and environmental stress conditions.
ASTM A588 Channel Steel Specification
Standard: ASTM A588 / ASTM A6
Section Type: C Channel (American Standard Channel), MC Channel (Miscellaneous Channel)
Web Depth: 75 – 380 mm (approx. C3 to C15 / MC series)
Web Thickness: 4.5 – 12.5 mm (varies by section size)
Flange Width: 40 – 100 mm
Flange Thickness: 6 – 20 mm
Length: 3 m, 6 m, 12 m, or as required
Surface Treatment: Non-treated (weathering steel), galvanized, or primed
Note: Special channel sizes and heavy sections (MC series or custom rolled profiles) are available upon request.
Chemical composition of ASTM A588 Corten Steel Channel(heat analysis)
| Steel grade | Carbon, max, % | Manganese, % | Phosphorus, max, % | Sulfur, max, % | Silicon, % | Nickel, max, % | Chromium, % | Copper | Vanadium, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A588 | 0.19 | 0.80 - 1.25 | 0.04 | 0.05 | 0.30 - 0.65 | 0.40 | 0.40 - 0.65 | 0.25 - 0.40 | 0.02 - 0.10 |
Mechanical property of ASTM A588 Corten Steel Channel
| Steel grade | Styles | Tensile strength, ksi [MPa] | Yield point, min, ksi [MPa] | Elongation in 8 in. [200 mm], min, % | Elongation in 2 in. [50 mm], min, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A588 | Steel channels | 70 [485] | 50 [345] | 18 | 21 |
ASTM A588 steel channel sizes
| Designation | Depth (in) | Flange Width (in) | Weight (lb/ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C3 × 4.1 | 3.00 | 1.41 | 4.1 |
| C3 × 5.0 | 3.00 | 1.50 | 5.0 |
| C4 × 5.4 | 4.00 | 1.58 | 5.4 |
| C4 × 7.25 | 4.00 | 1.72 | 7.25 |
| C5 × 6.7 | 5.00 | 1.75 | 6.7 |
| C6 × 8.2 | 6.00 | 1.92 | 8.2 |
| C6 × 10.5 | 6.00 | 2.03 | 10.5 |
| C8 × 11.5 | 8.00 | 2.26 | 11.5 |
| C8 × 13.75 | 8.00 | 2.34 | 13.75 |
| C10 × 15.3 | 10.00 | 2.60 | 15.3 |
| C12 × 20.7 | 12.00 | 3.00 | 20.7 |
| C12 × 25.0 | 12.00 | 3.05 | 25.0 |
| C15 × 33.9 | 15.00 | 3.40 | 33.9 |
| C15 × 50.0 | 15.00 | 3.72 | 50.0 |
Ordering Information
It shall be the responsibility of the purchaser to specify all requirements necessary for the product.
(1) Quantity (pieces, tons, or meters)
(2) Material grade (ASTM A588)
(3) Product type (C channel / U channel / steel channel section)
(4) Size (height × flange width × web thickness)
(5) Length (fixed length or random length)
(6) Surface condition (as-rolled / weathering steel natural finish)
(7) End condition (plain ends / beveled ends / punched or not)
(8) Inspection requirements (if applicable)
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Tests of A588 Channel Steel
(1) Chemical analysis
Each heat shall be analyzed to ensure compliance with ASTM A588 chemical composition requirements.
(2) Tension test
One tensile test per heat lot shall be carried out.
(3) Dimensional inspection
Section dimensions, length, straightness, and twist shall be checked in accordance with ASTM A6 tolerances.
(4) Visual inspection
Each channel shall be inspected for surface defects such as cracks, laminations, and rolling flaws.
(5) Optional NDT
Ultrasonic testing or other nondestructive tests may be performed if required.
