Stainless angle: where it is used and how to choose

This set is enough for frames, shelving, handrails, surrounds and assembly units.

The choice comes down to three questions: which leg is needed for the load, which wall thickness will withstand fastening and welding, and which grade suits the environment. Next — how to answer these questions from the product range.

Where angle is used

Angle is an equal-leg profile in the shape of the letter Г. It works in bending in two planes and is convenient because it gives two seating surfaces at once at 90 degrees. Hence the typical tasks.

Frames and carcasses: shelving, tables, assembly bases, equipment frames, stands for units. The angle is welded or bolted together, giving a rigid structure.

Surrounds and trim: edging of panels, abutments, decorative overlays, handrails and fencing. What matters here is that stainless steel does not rust during wet cleaning and keeps its appearance.

Food and retail equipment: table supports, sink frames, stands, guides. In this zone the angle is taken from 304: the grade holds up to water and food environments.

Assembly units and fastenings: support angles, brackets, ties, reinforcement of joints. Angle is convenient to cut to size and drill for fasteners.

Less often, angle goes as an independent load-bearing beam. For spans and serious loads it is replaced by profile pipe or channel: angle has a lower section modulus and holds torsion poorly.

Sizes and grade from the catalogue

Profile	Grade	Length, mm	HS code	Weight of 1 m, kg
40×40×4	AISI 304	6000	722240	about 2.4
50×50×5	AISI 304	6000	722240	about 3.7

The size is written with three numbers: the width of the leg, the width of the second leg and the thickness. For an equal-leg angle the first two numbers are the same: 40×40×4 means legs of 40 mm and a wall of 4 mm. Angle 50×50×5 is larger and more rigid: the section modulus grows faster than the weight.

Weight is calculated by an approximate formula: (A + B − t) × t × 0.0079, where A and B are the legs, t is the thickness, and the coefficient takes into account the density of stainless steel of about 7.9 g/cm³. For 40×40×4 this is about 2.4 kg per metre, for 50×50×5 — about 3.7 kg. The formula does not take into account the fillet radii, so the actual weight is taken from the batch certificate.

The grade in the catalogue is AISI 304, analogue 08Х18Н10. It holds up to water, moisture, food environments and outdoors without chlorides. For sea water, brines and chemicals 316L with molybdenum is needed; for dry rooms the economical 201 is possible, but they are not in this product range: if the task requires another grade, that is a separate order.

Hot-rolled or bent

Angle can be hot-rolled or bent. Hot-rolled is obtained by rolling a heated billet: the wall is thicker, the fillet radii are noticeable, the profile is stronger and more rigid. This is exactly the profile in the GCX catalogue.

Bent angle is formed from sheet on a roll-forming mill. It is thinner, the wall is uniform, the length can be greater, and the edge is sharper. Bent is cheaper in thin sections and more often goes for trim and light frames, hot-rolled — for load and welding.

The product range and tolerances are set by standards. For long products these are ГОСТ 2590 and 2591, the grades — ГОСТ 5632. What exactly to check in the certificate is analysed in a separate article. On acceptance the geometry is inspected: the width and thickness of the legs, curvature, twist, the presence of dents and burrs. A crooked angle will not give an even frame, and it is difficult to straighten it on site.

How to order angle

Step one — determine the size by the load and the method of fastening. If the angle works as a support under a bolt, the wall thickness matters no less than the leg: a thin wall will be torn off by the fastener. For a welded frame, they check that the thickness allows the seam to be welded without burn-through.

Step two — choose the grade for the environment. For dry interiors and furniture 201 is enough, for water, food contact and outdoors 304 is needed, for the sea and chemicals — 316L.

Step three — calculate the length in metres and the weight. The length is taken from the layout of the frame with a margin for cutting and corners, the weight — by the formula from the previous section. It is more convenient to calculate an order in metres, while the market compares the price per tonne, so the conversion is done in advance.

Step four — state the profile, grade, length and shipment week in the order. These parameters are transferred into the trade without renegotiation, so an error in the order becomes an error in the delivery. Cutting to size, drilling and welding are ordered separately from a contractor.

Task	Profile	Grade	Why
Light frame, surround	40×40×4	304	rigidity is enough, less weight
Shelving, table, frame	50×50×5	304	higher section modulus
Handrail, fencing	40×40×4	304	clean surface, wet cleaning
Support bracket	50×50×5	304	margin for fastening and load
Marine environment, chemicals	40×40×4 or 50×50×5	316L	molybdenum against chlorides

Frequently asked questions

What sizes of stainless angle are in the catalogue?

Two items: 40×40×4 and 50×50×5 mm, length 6000 mm, grade AISI 304, hot-rolled profile. Other sizes and grades are arranged with a separate order.

How to calculate the weight of stainless angle?

By the formula (A + B − t) × t × 0.0079. For 40×40×4 this gives about 2.4 kg per metre, for 50×50×5 — about 3.7 kg. The exact weight of the batch is stated in the certificate.

Which angle is stronger — hot-rolled or bent?

At the same section, hot-rolled is more rigid: its wall is thicker and there is more material in the sections. Bent is lighter and has a more even edge, but it is taken less often for load-bearing assemblies.

What is stainless angle cut with?

With a band saw, a cutting wheel, plasma or waterjet. For an exact length and a clean end, a band saw is more convenient; for a thick leg — a cutting tool or plasma.

Can angle made of 304 be welded?

Yes, 304 is welded by standard methods. It is important not to overheat the metal and to clean the seam: after welding the corrosion resistance decreases in the heated zone, so the seam is treated and, if necessary, passivated.

What to replace angle with if more rigidity is needed?

With profile pipe or channel. A pipe holds torsion and bending in two planes better, so for load-bearing spans angle is used less often, more often for ties and surrounds.

Choose an angle for the task

Look at the product range and place an order with the profile, grade, length and shipment week.

• Stainless angle
• AISI 304
• ГОСТ for long products
• HS code for round bar and angle
• Prices and quotations