Structural Steel Roll Forming Material Guide: Coil Sizes, Grades & Applications

Structural Steel Roll Forming Material

1. Overview of Structural Steel in Roll Forming

Structural steel is one of the most widely used materials in roll forming for load-bearing and construction applications. It is designed to provide strength, durability, and reliability in structural components.

In roll forming, structural steel is used to produce beams, channels, purlins, studs, frames, and structural profiles used in buildings, infrastructure, and industrial systems.

Compared to mild steel, structural steel offers improved mechanical properties and standardized performance across global construction markets.

2. Material Composition & Structure

Structural steel consists of:

Iron base metal
Carbon (typically 0.05–0.25%)
Manganese and other alloying elements

Common Structural Grades

S235 / S275 / S355 (Europe)
ASTM A36 (USA)
ASTM A572
ASTM A992

Structure

Homogeneous steel structure
Designed for strength and weldability
Standardized mechanical performance

3. Available Coil Specifications

Thickness Range

1.0mm – 8.0mm

Coil Width

600mm – 1500mm

Coil Weight

5 tons – 20 tons

Coil ID / OD

ID: 508mm / 610mm
OD: up to 2000mm

Tolerance

Good dimensional stability
Standard industrial tolerances

4. Mechanical Properties

Typical values (depending on grade):

Yield Strength: 235 – 355 MPa
Tensile Strength: 360 – 600 MPa
Elongation: 20% – 30%
Hardness: 120 – 200 HB

5. Coating Types (If Applicable)

Structural steel may be supplied as:

Uncoated (black steel)
Galvanized structural steel
Painted structural steel
Powder-coated steel

6. Surface Finishes

Mill finish
Pickled and oiled
Galvanized
Painted

7. Common Roll Forming Applications

Structural beams and channels
C and Z purlins
Steel framing systems
Building structures
Industrial frames
Storage systems
Structural supports

8. Advantages of Structural Steel

High strength
Good weldability
Cost-effective
Widely available
Standardized grades
Suitable for load-bearing applications

9. Disadvantages / Limitations

Corrosion risk if uncoated
Heavier than aluminum
Requires coating for outdoor use
Lower strength than HSLA or AHSS
Moderate formability limitations

10. Roll Forming Machine Considerations

Roll Tooling

Heavy-duty rollers required
Strong machine frame needed

Speed

5–30 m/min

Lubrication

Recommended

Cutting

Hydraulic shear or flying shear
Heavy-duty blades required

Common Issues

Springback
Dimensional variation
Tool wear

11. Common Problems in Production

Springback affecting accuracy
Edge cracking in thicker materials
Tool wear over time
Inconsistent forming if not aligned
Material distortion

12. Pricing Guide

Typical global pricing:

Low: $600–$900 per ton
Medium: $900–$1300 per ton
High: $1300–$1800+ per ton

Factors affecting price:

Grade (S235 vs S355)
Thickness
Coating
Origin

13. Comparison with Other Materials

Structural Steel vs HSLA

Structural = standard strength
HSLA = higher strength

Structural Steel vs Stainless Steel

Structural = cheaper
Stainless = corrosion resistant

Structural Steel vs Aluminum

Structural = stronger
Aluminum = lighter

14. Best Industries Using Structural Steel

Construction and infrastructure
Steel building manufacturing
Industrial fabrication
Warehousing systems
Energy and utilities

15. How to Choose Structural Steel

Choose Structural Steel When:

Load-bearing applications
Cost efficiency required
Standard construction projects
Structural framing systems

Avoid When:

High corrosion environments (unless coated)
Lightweight applications
High-strength requirements (consider HSLA/AHSS)

16. FAQ Section

What is structural steel?

Steel designed for load-bearing applications.

Is structural steel good for roll forming?

Yes, widely used.

What grades are common?

S235, S275, S355, ASTM A36.

Does structural steel rust?

Yes, unless coated.

Is structural steel strong?

Yes, suitable for most construction uses.

17. Machine Matcher Section

We supply roll forming machines for all material types including structural steel.

Custom-built machines to your profile
New machines built to specification
Global delivery available
UK and USA technical support

Contact:
Machine Matcher
Sales & Technical Team

Quick Specs

Thickness
1.0–8.0mm

Yield Strength
235–355 MPa

Coil Width
600–1500mm

Coil ID
508 / 610mm