T-BARS

Steel T-bars — also referred to as steel T-sections, T-profiles or tee bars — are hot rolled structural steel profiles characterised by their distinctive T-shaped cross-section. Consisting of a horizontal flange and a perpendicular web, T-bars serve as essential secondary structural elements across construction, mechanical engineering, shipbuilding and general steel fabrication. ULAMEX supplies hot rolled T-bars manufactured to EN 10055 in sizes from T20 to T140, produced from non-alloy structural steel grades S235JR and S355J2 per EN 10025-2. Standard stock lengths are 6,000 mm, available for immediate dispatch from our European warehouse.

Material Grades and Standards

Our steel T-sections are manufactured from carbon steel conforming to EN 10025-2, the European standard for non-alloy structural steels. Two primary grades are stocked:

• S235JR (material number 1.0038) — minimum yield strength of 235 MPa, tensile strength 360–510 MPa, and guaranteed impact toughness of 27 J at +20°C. This grade, formerly designated St37-2 (DIN 17100) and equivalent to ASTM A36, is the standard workhorse for general construction and fabrication where moderate strength is sufficient.
• S355J2 (material number 1.0577) — minimum yield strength of 355 MPa, tensile strength 470–630 MPa, with guaranteed Charpy V-notch impact energy of 27 J at -20°C. Previously known as St52-3 and comparable to ASTM A572 Grade 50, S355J2 is specified for load-bearing applications, low-temperature service, and structures subject to dynamic loading.

Both grades offer excellent weldability with a carbon equivalent (CEV) well below 0.45, permitting all standard welding methods including MIG/MAG, MMA (electrode), and submerged arc welding without mandatory preheating for typical wall thicknesses. S275JR (1.0044) is available on request for projects with specific grade requirements.

All T-bars are produced in compliance with the dimensional standard EN 10055 (Hot rolled steel equal flange tees), which defines the cross-sectional geometry, dimensional tolerances, and mass-per-metre values. The manufacturing norm references EN 10025-2 for mechanical properties and chemical composition, and EN 10034 for shape and dimension tolerances where applicable.

Dimensions and Specifications

ULAMEX stocks steel T-bars in the following standard sizes per EN 10055:

• T20 — 20 mm height, flange width 20 mm, approx. 0.85 kg/m
• T25 — 25 mm height, flange width 25 mm, approx. 1.15 kg/m
• T30 — 30 mm height, flange width 30 mm, approx. 1.41 kg/m
• T35 — 35 mm height, flange width 35 mm, approx. 1.72 kg/m
• T40 — 40 mm height, flange width 40 mm, approx. 2.10 kg/m
• T50 — 50 mm height, flange width 50 mm, approx. 3.77 kg/m
• T60 — 60 mm height, flange width 60 mm, approx. 5.04 kg/m
• T70 — 70 mm height, flange width 70 mm, approx. 6.92 kg/m
• T80 — 80 mm height, flange width 80 mm, approx. 8.64 kg/m
• T100 — 100 mm height, flange width 100 mm, approx. 12.20 kg/m
• T120 — 120 mm height, flange width 120 mm, approx. 17.00 kg/m
• T140 — 140 mm height, flange width 140 mm, approx. 22.00 kg/m

All T-bars are supplied in a standard length of 6,000 mm (6 m). Custom cut-to-size lengths are available on request. Dimensional tolerances conform to EN 10055 requirements for height, flange width, web and flange thickness, straightness and squareness.

Applications of Steel T-Bars

Steel T-sections occupy a unique position among structural steel sections: their asymmetric profile provides directional stiffness, making them effective where bending resistance is needed primarily in one plane. Key application areas include:

• Stiffening ribs and web stiffeners — T-bars are welded to the webs of IPE, HEB and HEA beams to prevent web buckling at concentrated load points, support reactions, and connection zones. This is one of the most common applications in steel construction, specified in Eurocode 3 design calculations.
• Connection elements in steel structures — T-sections serve as shear connectors, moment connections, and base plate stiffeners in bolted and welded beam-to-column joints. Their T-shape allows simultaneous connection to two perpendicular planes, simplifying complex joint geometries.
• Secondary framing and bracing — in industrial halls, warehouses, and portal frame structures, T-bars are used for secondary members such as eaves beams, longitudinal ties, and diagonal bracing in lattice girder construction.
• Shipbuilding and marine construction — T-sections are extensively used as hull stiffeners, deck framing members, and bulkhead stiffeners in ship construction and offshore platforms, where their profile efficiently resists hydrostatic pressure loading.
• Mechanical engineering and machinery — T-bars form machine base frames, jig and fixture supports, guide rails for linear motion systems, and structural elements in conveyor frames and handling equipment.
• Bridge construction — used as stiffeners for plate girders, cross-frame members, and connection elements in composite bridge deck systems.
• Architectural metalwork — T-sections find application in handrail systems, balustrade posts, canopy supports, and decorative structural frameworks where the visible T-profile provides an aesthetic design element.
• General fabrication — racks, shelving supports, brackets, cable tray supports, and equipment mounting frames in industrial and commercial environments.

Technical Properties

Hot rolled steel T-bars in grades S235JR and S355J2 offer a compelling combination of mechanical properties for structural applications. The hot rolling process produces a characteristic mill scale surface (dark oxide layer) that provides temporary atmospheric corrosion protection during storage and transport.

Both grades are classified as fully weldable structural steels. Standard welding procedures per EN 1011-2 apply, with no preheating required for material thicknesses up to approximately 25 mm in S235JR and 15 mm in S355J2 (subject to heat input and joint geometry). Filler metals should be selected to match the base material strength class — E42 electrodes for S235JR, E50 for S355J2.

T-bars can be drilled, punched, sawn, flame-cut and machined using standard workshop equipment. The material is suitable for hot-dip galvanising per ISO 1461, shop primer coating, paint systems per ISO 12944, and thermal spray zinc or aluminium coatings. For outdoor exposure, a corrosion protection system appropriate to the environment category (C1–C5 per ISO 12944-2) should be specified at the design stage.

Thermal expansion coefficient is approximately 12 × 10⁻⁶ /K, density 7,850 kg/m³, and modulus of elasticity 210,000 MPa — standard values for structural carbon steel applicable to all section design calculations per Eurocode 3.

Quality and Certification

As an EN 1090 certified steel distributor with ISO 3834-2 quality management, ULAMEX ensures full compliance with European construction product regulations. Every T-bar delivery can be accompanied by a mill test certificate 3.1 per EN 10204, documenting chemical composition, mechanical test results, and heat traceability — please specify when placing your order.

Our quality assurance covers incoming goods inspection, proper storage conditions to prevent corrosion and mechanical damage, and full lot traceability from mill to delivery. CE marking per Construction Products Regulation (EU) 305/2011 applies to all structural steel sections supplied.

Ordering and Delivery

ULAMEX maintains permanent warehouse stock of steel T-bars in all standard sizes from T20 to T140 in both S235JR and S355J2 grades. Standard stock length is 6,000 mm. Cut-to-size sawing is available for projects requiring non-standard lengths.

As a steel sections wholesale supplier with over 35 years of experience, we offer competitive wholesale pricing for project quantities and frame contracts. Delivery is available across Europe, with particularly fast transit times to the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland), United Kingdom, Scandinavia, and Benelux countries.

Whether you need a single bundle of T50 bars for a fabrication workshop or a full truck of T100 sections for an industrial project, ULAMEX provides reliable supply with consistent quality and complete documentation.

Browse our full steel sections catalogue including I-beams, H-beams, steel channels, and angle steel, or contact our sales team for a tailored quotation on T-bars for your project.