UPN Profiles

UPN Profiles – European Steel Channels for Reliable Structural Performance

UPN Profile (European channel section) is a versatile structural element used in steel construction, machinery frames, mezzanines, racking systems and general fabrication. Thanks to its open “U” shape, UPN Channel delivers excellent stiffness-to-weight ratio, easy connection details and cost-effective fabrication for both primary and secondary members. On this page you will find a complete guide covering UPN Channel Sizes, UPN Profile Dimensions, a practical UPN Profile Weight Chart, standards, material grades, design notes, processing methods and procurement tips—plus internal resources to help you specify and purchase the right sections. 

Related pages: Steel Channels · Structural Steel · IPE Beams · HEA / HEB / HEM Beams · RHS & SHS Box Sections · Steel Service Center

What Is a UPN Profile?

A Structural UPN Profile is a hot-rolled, European UPN Channel with parallel inner faces and tapered flanges. It is identified by its depth in millimetres (e.g., UPN 80, 100, 120 … 300). In international tenders and technical documents you may see alternative wording like UPN Steel Profile, UPN Steel Channel, UPN Channel Profile or even UPN Steel Beam when the channel is used as a beam element. For construction and general fabrication, specifiers often search or order by UPN Profile Standard and “as-rolled” finish. Typical applications include purlins and girts, trusses, lintels, frames, machine bases, stair stringers, platforms, conveyor supports and rack uprights. When designed correctly, UPN Profile for Construction offers an economical solution with quick on-site assembly and simple bolted or welded joints.

Standards & Nomenclature

UPN channels are historically aligned with European dimensional standards (e.g., EN-related references for channel geometry and tolerances) and supplied to material standards such as EN 10025 (non-alloy structural steels) or EN 10210 / EN 10219 (hollow sections – for comparison). In project documentation, you may encounter legacy/producer tables that match today’s commercial sizes. Always verify the latest mill data and tolerance regime noted on your order acknowledgment.

Sizes, Dimensions & Tolerances

UPN Channel Sizes typically range from UPN 80 up to UPN 300 (depth h), with flange width b, web thickness t and root radius / fillet details depending on size. For most fabrication tasks you’ll combine depth and weight-per-metre to hit deflection and strength targets while keeping material consumption under control. If your project involves long-span members or vibration-sensitive equipment, consider checking lateral torsional buckling and service-limit states in addition to ultimate capacity.

Typical Dimensional Parameters

  • h – section depth (mm)
  • b – flange width (mm)
  • t – web thickness (mm)
  • g – flange thickness (mm)
  • A – cross-sectional area (cm²)
  • G – theoretical weight (kg/m)
  • Moments of inertia and section moduli about major/minor axes for detailed design

Tolerances follow the applicable EN tolerances for hot-rolled sections; confirm the governing edition in your PO. For precision assemblies or automated fit-ups, specify tighter cut tolerances and squareness in your fabrication drawings.

📩 Request a Quote

UPN Profile Weight Chart

The table below lists UPN Profile Dimensions and theoretical mass per metre as a handy UPN Profile Weight Chart. Values are indicative; always cross-check against mill certificates or project specifications.

Indicative Dimensions & Weights (verify per current EN tables)

Designationh (mm)b (mm)t (mm)g (mm)A (cm²)G (kg/m)
UPN 8080457.010.09.237.25
UPN 100100507.510.511.89.26
UPN 120120558.011.014.211.1
UPN 140140608.512.016.913.3
UPN 160160659.013.020.115.8
UPN 180180709.514.023.018.1
UPN 2002007510.015.026.520.8
UPN 2202208010.516.030.123.6
UPN 2402408511.017.033.926.6
UPN 2602609011.518.038.129.9
UPN 2802809512.019.042.533.4
UPN 30030010012.520.047.237.1

Note: Theoretical values; minor variances occur between mills. For precise engineering, request a full section properties sheet (Ix, Iy, Wx, Wy, torsional constants).

Material Grades & Surface Options

UPN channels are commonly supplied in structural grades such as S235JR, S275JR and S355JR/J2 with 3.1 mill test certificates (EN 10204). For corrosive or outdoor environments, consider galvanized finish or a certified coating system after surface preparation. If you are integrating channels into stainless assemblies or food-grade environments, consult our alternatives page and Galvanized & Coated Steel resources.

Common Supply Conditions

  • Lengths: stock (6–12 m) or custom-cut to project lists
  • Finish: as-rolled (black), shot-blasted/primed, or galvanized
  • Certificates: EN 10204 3.1; CE marking where applicable
  • Options: cope cuts, mitres, stiffener plates, connection holes and kits

Processing (Cutting, Drilling, Welding)

Our Steel Service Center offers precise cutting, drilling, slotting, end-prep (cope/rat holes), and marking so that UPN Profile components arrive workshop-ready. We maintain tight length tolerances and can bundle parts per erection sequence, minimizing on-site handling.

Fabrication Tips

  • Use slotted holes on secondary members to accommodate erection tolerances.
  • When welding, manage heat input to avoid distortion of the channel web.
  • For floor/stringer use, check local buckling and lateral stability.
  • Specify anti-corrosion systems early (zinc-rich primer, galvanizing, duplex).

Design & Application Notes

Selecting the optimal UPN Steel Section involves balancing strength, stiffness, weight and cost. Start with serviceability (deflection, vibration), then verify ultimate limit states and connection details. Where torsion is critical (eccentric loads), consider back-to-back channels or a closed section for improved torsional rigidity.

Typical Use Cases

  • Purlins, girts and wall rails
  • Lintels and edge beams around openings
  • Machine frames and platforms
  • Stair stringers and handrail posts
  • Racking uprights and bracing elements
Connection Strategies
  • Bolted end-plate to beams/columns (consider web crippling checks)
  • Back-to-back channels to create a pseudo-box section
  • Shelf angles and clip angles for architectural interfaces
  • Gusseted joints where bracing meets channel webs

UPN vs UPE vs IPE

While UPN Channel has tapered flanges, UPE channels typically have parallel flanges with different flange thickness patterns, impacting connection detailing and stiffness. Compared with IPE beams, channels provide convenient mounting faces and lighter weights for secondary members, though IPE often wins for long-span bending efficiency. For corrosion protection and aesthetics, channels are simpler to paint but offer less torsional rigidity than closed box sections. Explore related families: Steel Channels (UPN/UPE), IPE Beams, RHS/SHS.

Procurement, Lead Times & Pricing

Lead times depend on size mix, finish (black, primed, galvanized) and processing scope. As a UPN Steel Supplier and solution partner for international projects, we consolidate multiple sizes and lengths into efficient shipments with document packages (packing lists, MTCs, certificates of origin). If your sourcing policy requires factory origins or specific mills, we can align with preferred UPN Profile Manufacturer lists and QA regimes.

Ready to Buy UPN Profile Online or via a structured RFQ?

Send your BOQ with grades, lengths and finishes, and we’ll return an optimized offer covering availability and logistics. For market visibility, request an update on UPN Channel Price trends and alternatives that can reduce cost without compromising performance.

How to Specify (Checklist)

  1. Section: UPN size and grade (e.g., UPN 200, S355J2)
  2. Lengths: stock or exact cut lengths
  3. Finish: black / shot-blasted & primed / galvanized
  4. Operations: drilling, coping, marking, bundles per phase
  5. Documentation: EN 10204 3.1, CE/DoP, coating data sheets
  6. Delivery terms: EXW/FOB/CIF/DDP as required

FAQ – UPN Channels

1) Are UPN and UPE interchangeable?

Not directly. Geometry and flange details differ, which affects stiffness and connection design. If a drawing specifies UPN, do not substitute UPE without engineering approval.

2) Which grades are most common for UPN?

S235JR, S275JR and S355JR/J2 are widely available. Choose higher grade for weight reduction or tougher service conditions.

3) Can channels be galvanized?

Yes. Ensure proper vent/drain holes for galvanizing and consider post-galv touch-ups after drilling or welding.

4) Do you provide section property sheets?

Absolutely. Alongside the UPN Profile Weight Chart, we can supply Ix/Iy, Wx/Wy, torsional constants and recommended bolt patterns—just mention it in your RFQ.

5) Can I get mixed lengths and small lots?

Yes. We consolidate small lots efficiently. Share your cut list and packaging preferences (bundles by phase, area or floor).

Whether you are an EPC contractor, fabricator, or OEM, our team supports specification, value engineering and on-time deliveries across Europe, MENA and beyond. If you are searching for UPN Steel Profile or UPN Steel Section for structural applications, need a quick check on UPN Channel Sizes, or want today’s UPN Channel Price, contact us. We operate as a solution-driven UPN Steel Supplier working closely with each UPN Profile Manufacturer in our network, so you can confidently Buy UPN Profile Online or via classic RFQ with complete documentation.

UPN Channel Types
UPN Profile Thickness
Weight of 6-Meter UPN Profile
UPN 4040X20X4,00 MM16,20 KG
UPN 5050X25X5,00MM25,92 KG
UPN  6060X42X5,5,00 MM42,54 KG
UPN 8080X45X6,00 MM51,84 KG
UPN 100100X50X6,00 MM63,60 KG
UPN 120120X55X7,00 MM80,40 KG
UPN 140140X60X7,00 MM96,00 KG
UPN 160160X65X7,50 MM112,80 KG
UPN 180180X70X8,00 MM132,00 KG
UPN 200200X75X8,50 MM151,80 KG
UPN 220220X80X9,00 MM176,40 KG
UPN 240240X85X9,50 MM199,20 KG
UPN 260260X90X10,0 MM227,40 KG
UPN 280280X95X10,0 MM250,80 KG
UPN 300300X100X10,0 MM277,20 KG
UPN 320320X100X14,0 MM357,00 KG
UPN 350350X100X14,0 MM363,60 KG
UPN 380380X102X13,34 MM375,60 KG

NPI Profile – Comprehensive Guide for Engineers, Buyers, and Fabricators

The NPI Profile—often referred to as a Structural NPI Profile, NPI Steel Profile or NPI Steel Channel—is a dependable channel-type section widely used in industrial projects, commercial buildings, and infrastructure works. As a leading NPI Steel Supplier, HL Metal supports EPC contractors, OEMs, and fabricators with flexible sourcing, cutting, packaging, and just-in-time deliveries. On this page, you can quickly review NPI Channel Sizes, NPI Profile Dimensions, and learn how to interpret an NPI Profile Weight Chart—then check today’s NPI Channel Price or Buy NPI Profile Online via our RFQ workflow.

What Is an NPI Channel?

An NPI is a symmetric channel section optimized for strength-to-weight efficiency and ease of fabrication. When engineers specify channels for purlins, lintels, bracing, walkways, or equipment frames, the NPI Channel provides a well-balanced option between stiffness and weight. The geometry allows straightforward bolting/welding to plates and beams, and the open shape simplifies routing of cables, pipes, and services during installation.

Compared with angle or flat bars, an NPI Section (also called NPI Steel Section) delivers better resistance to bending and torsion thanks to its web-flange configuration. For applications requiring beam/channel compatibility or hybrid frames with I/H beams, an NPI Steel Beam pairing (e.g., used as secondary members or edge restraints) is also common in industrial steelwork.

Standards, Grades, and Compliance

Each NPI Profile Standard defines dimensional tolerances, corner radii, straightness, and permissible deviations to ensure interchangeability and predictable performance. In international projects, engineers often reference recognized European material standards and CE conformity for structural steel. As part of our compliance package, we provide mill test certificates, traceability codes, and (when requested) welding procedure records and galvanizing certificates aligned to the project specification.

For region-specific requirements—fire protection, corrosion categories, or surface preparation—our team helps align the European NPI Channel specification with coating systems, galvanizing classes, and inspection test plans. If you are integrating NPI with other section families, you may also review our pages for related products such as IPN Profile, Steel Beams, and Steel Sections.

NPI Channel Sizes and Dimensional Logic

Choosing the right NPI Channel Sizes starts with understanding the forces acting on the member—span, load, deflection limits, and connection details. Manufacturers roll a range of heights and flange/web thickness combinations so you can match strength and economy. Our customer success team can share rolling availability, minimum order quantities for niche sizes, and lead times for urgent projects.

Key Dimensional Parameters

  • Height (h): Governs bending capacity and deflection. Taller sections typically resist bending better but can be heavier.
  • Flange Width (b): Influences lateral stability, bolt spacing, and plate connectivity.
  • Web Thickness (tw) & Flange Thickness (tf): Impact shear, local buckling, and weldability considerations.
  • Root Radius & Tolerances: Affect fit-up, nesting in frames, and drilling/slotting operations.

If you need a specific size matrix for engineering approval, contact us. We will provide a dimension sheet that maps common NPI Profile Dimensions to section properties (A, Ix, Iy, Wx, Wy) for preliminary sizing and connection design.

How to Read an NPI Profile Weight Chart

An NPI Profile Weight Chart summarizes the theoretical mass per meter (kg/m) and section properties for each size. Use it to estimate total tonnage, transport loads, and crane picks before finalizing your order. Because production tolerances and coatings affect net weight, we always reconcile theoretical and actual shipping tallies in your packing list and invoice for precise accounting.

Need a pre-filled spreadsheet for take-offs? Ask for our editable template. We can align the chart to your BIM model or drawings and highlight alternates if value engineering is possible.

Applications: NPI Profile for Construction

The NPI Profile for Construction is widely used in:

  • Industrial platforms & walkways: Channels form stringers and frames for grating decks and service platforms.
  • Building frames: Lintels, headers, and bracing members around door/window openings.
  • Equipment skids: Robust but economical frames that accommodate bolting/welding of machinery and enclosures.
  • Conveyors & lines: Side members and supports in material handling and process equipment.
  • Architectural details: Parapets, trims, and cladding sub-frames where a neat open section is preferred.

For hybrid systems, channels work alongside hollow sections and I/H beams. Explore steel beams and other sections for companion members.

Fabrication, Processing, and Surface Options

We supply channels in mill lengths or cut-to-length with end preparation as requested. Our fabrication menu includes straight cutting, mitre cutting, drilling, slotted holes, cope cuts, and welding to plates or gussets. For corrosion control, choose shotblasting, shop primer, hot-dip galvanizing, or duplex paint systems matched to your environment (C2–C5).

  • Cutting & Nesting: Optimized to minimize scrap and reduce your total cost per installed meter.
  • Holes & Slots: CNC drilling/slotting according to your bolt schedule and tolerances.
  • Welded Assemblies: Sub-frames, stiffeners, and plate additions delivered as ready-to-install kits.
  • Marking & Traceability: Heat numbers and part IDs labeled for fast site sorting.

Comparison: NPI vs. UPN and Other Channels

While both NPI and UPN belong to the channel family, the selection depends on structural needs, connection philosophy, and availability. If your specification is open to alternates, we can benchmark sizes and properties across UPN Profiles and other rolled channels to maintain performance while optimizing cost and lead time. Our engineering team can assist with “equal stiffness” or “equal strength” substitutions and issue a concise comparison note for consultant review.

Sourcing: Supplier Network and Manufacturing

HL Metal operates as a solution-driven NPI Steel Supplier, working closely with each NPI Profile Manufacturer in our network to balance cost, quality, and schedule. This multi-mill strategy gives you optionality when one mill is at capacity, and it allows us to align rolling plans with your project milestones. For repeat programs, we can lock framework pricing and mill slots so you receive guaranteed production windows.

Commercials: Price, RFQs, and Ordering

Checking the latest NPI Channel Price typically begins with your cut list, surface requirements, and delivery address. Our quotations indicate unit and total prices, packing method, lead time, and documentation. If you prefer a digital procurement flow, you can also Buy NPI Profile Online via our guided RFQ form—submit drawings, QC checklists, and delivery constraints in one place for faster approvals.

Typical Information to Share with Your RFQ

  • Target sizes & NPI Channel Profile lengths (mill or cut-to-length)
  • Surface condition (as-rolled, blasted, primed, galvanized, painted)
  • Connection details (holes, slots, end preps, welded plates)
  • Bundling and labeling needs (area/phase/floor)
  • Delivery terms (EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR/CIF, DDP) and timeline
  • Required certificates and inspections (MTC, NDT, coating DFT reports)

Quality Assurance and Documentation

Our QA flow covers material identification, dimensional checks, coating thickness measurements (where applicable), and final packing inspection. Traceability from heat to bundle is maintained throughout. For site audits, we can provide WPS/PQR summaries and inspector credentials. If your project requires specific acceptance criteria (e.g., tighter tolerances or additional NDT), we will embed them in the ITP and report pack.

Logistics, Packing, and Delivery

We handle full-truck and LCL/LTL shipments with export-grade packing. To save crane time and avoid re-handling, we label bundles for the destination zone (building, elevation, or gridline) and add QR codes when requested. Small lots can be consolidated with other steel items to optimize freight. Our regional coverage includes Europe, MENA, and beyond, with customs documentation prepared in advance to accelerate clearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

1) Can I order mixed lengths and small lots?

Yes. We efficiently consolidate small orders. Share your cut list and bundling preferences (e.g., by phase, area, or floor) and we will plan the packing sequence accordingly. This approach reduces site handling and shortens installation time.

2) Can you provide bar-stock and short pieces?

Absolutely. If you need short members for bracing, curbs, or trims, we can supply NPI Channel Bar pieces cut to precise lengths, deburred, and labeled per your drawing index.

3) What if the specified size is unavailable?

We will propose a technically equivalent NPI Channel or compatible UPN size along with a quick comparison sheet. Upon your approval, we finalize the substitution and update all pack lists and ID labels accordingly.

4) Do you support rush deliveries?

Yes—subject to rolling capacity and current stock. Tell us your earliest need-by date and we will present the fastest route, including interim part-deliveries if required by your construction sequence.

Why HL Metal for NPI Channels?

  • Technical clarity: We translate drawings and specifications into unambiguous purchase lines.
  • Value engineering: We review NPI Profile Dimensions and propose cost-savvy alternates if permitted.
  • Documentation discipline: From MTC to coating reports, your dossier is complete and audit-ready.
  • Execution focus: We align production, inspection, and logistics to your site milestones.
  • Digital convenience: You can Buy NPI Profile Online or place a classic RFQ—whichever suits your workflow.

Related Products & Knowledge Base

Explore more structural sections and companion products for your frame design: UPE Profile (Channels), HEA/HEB/IPE Steel Beams, Structural Steel Tubes. If you need help mapping mixed section families, our engineers can prepare a brief layout and connection note.

Get Today’s Price and Availability

Ready to move forward? Ask for the current NPI Channel Price with delivery to your site or port. Our quotation will include lead time, documentation, and packing details. As a global NPI Steel Supplier with a strong mill network, we coordinate closely with each NPI Profile Manufacturer to protect your schedule.

Summary: Your NPI Channel, Delivered Right

From design assistance to shipment, HL Metal ensures your NPI Channel Profile arrives ready for installation—with the correct dimensions, surface condition, and labeling. Whether your team prefers classic RFQs or a streamlined digital path to Buy NPI Profile Online, we’ll align with your process and provide full transparency at every step.

NPI Channel, NPI Steel Channel, NPI Section, NPI Steel Section, NPI Channel Bar, NPI Channel Profile, NPI Steel Beam, NPI Channel Sizes, NPI Profile Dimensions, NPI Profile Weight Chart, NPI Profile Standard, Structural NPI Profile, European NPI Channel, NPI Profile for Construction, NPI Steel Supplier, NPI Profile Manufacturer, Buy NPI Profile Online, NPI Channel Price.

Daha fazla teknik bilgi için Wikipedia – UPN (Steel Profile) sayfasını inceleyebilirsiniz.