Description

GA’s Aluminium Channel is a U-shaped structural extrusion — also widely referred to as aluminium U-channel, C-channel, U-section, or C-section — manufactured from grade 6063 aluminium alloy to BS EN 755, 515, and 573 standards. The open U-form is defined by two parallel flanges projecting from a flat web, creating a contained recess that can receive, retain, and frame a wide range of materials. Where other profiles add strength through geometry, channel sections work by enclosing — holding a panel edge, guiding a sliding element, or forming a structural frame member with a built-in bearing surface on three sides.

Stocked in a comprehensive size range to suit different panel thicknesses and structural requirements, in 4-metre lengths. Two surface finishes are available: mill (untreated), and natural anodised with an AA25 micron anodic film thickness — the highest finish grade for aluminium extrusion and the finish specified for those applications where good looks count.

Should you require a powder coated finish, cut pieces, or further fabrication, we can do this for you, please contact our Sales Team. While browsing our product listings, please click the illustrated images for dimensional details.

Notes. Jig marks, up to 50mm in from each end (often less than this), can be apparent on anodised items. These marks can be cut away before fixing.

Shade variations can occur with anodised surfaces due to the reactive nature of this finishing process.

Health and Safety

(Health and Safety doc. (1).pdf, 240 Kb) [View Document]

Install

(Profiles and Extrusions Install (5).pdf, 238 Kb) [View Document]

Maint.

(Maintenance of Aluminium Surfaces (1).pdf, 232 Kb) [View Document]

Tech Data

(Tech info extrusions (4).pdf, 397 Kb) [View Document]

Test Data

(Test – Extrusion Resistance to Surface Marking.pdf, 227 Kb) [View Document]

Aluminium Channel

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Product Code: Categories Aluminium Profiles & Extrusions, Aluminium Channel Product Type: Aluminium Channel

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Specifications

Profile Type: U-Channel / C-Section (open U-shaped extrusion)

Also Known As: U-channel, C-channel, U-section, C-section

Dimensions: Multiple sizes stocked — see the size selector on the product page for the full range

Material: Grade 6063 Aluminium Alloy

Standards: BS EN 755, BS EN 515, BS EN 573

Anodising Standard: BS EN ISO 7599

Powder Coating Standard: BS 6496 (1984) — available to order, please contact Sales

Length: 4 metres (4000mm) standard stock length

Available Finishes: Mill (Untreated) or Natural Anodised

Anodic Film Thickness: AA25 microns — the highest anodised surface finish for aluminium extrusions. Thicker than AA10 and AA15 coatings, typically supplied by other stockists, and providing superior surface protection and a deeper quality matt metallic finish.

Surface Marking Test: Independent testing (Ceram / Lucideon): anodised aluminium extrusion achieved up to 4× greater abrasion resistance than mill finish.

Finish Notes: Anodised product codes carry an ‘s’ suffix. Minor jig marks within 50mm of each end are standard and can be trimmed during final fitting. Shade variations may occur between batches due to the reactive nature of anodising.

Fabrication Services: Cutting to length, hole drilling, rolling and curving – please contact our Sales Team to talk through your requirements.

Key Benefits

AA25 Anodic Film — the Highest Surface Finish Grade: GA’s natural anodised channel is supplied with an anodic film thickness of AA25 microns — the highest surface finish grade for aluminium extrusion. This is not a detail to overlook: many aluminium stockists supply profiles with thinner AA5, AA10 or AA15 coatings, which offer much less protection against surface marking, corrosion, and UV degradation and lack the necessary depth of anodic film that provides the deep satin lustre of the AA25 thickness. The AA25 coating provides a noticeably superior matt metallic finish and greater long-term durability in both interior and exterior environments. When selecting anodised aluminium channel, always check the film thickness you are buying.

The Containing Form — Three-Sided Grip on Any Inserted Material: The U-channel geometry does something no other standard profile can: it grips material on three sides simultaneously. A panel edge, a board, or a piece of sheet, of the appropriate thickness can be slid into the channel is retained on the two flange faces and the web in a single fixing operation. This three-sided containment simplifies assembly and produces a consistently neat edge finish.

Independently Proven Surface Durability: Independent testing carried out by Ceram Building Technology (now Lucideon) demonstrated that natural anodised aluminium extrusions withstand up to four times as many abrasion passes as mill finish before visible surface damage occurs. Combined with the AA25 film thickness specified across GA’s channel range, this gives a meaningful, evidence-based indication of long-term surface performance rather than a general claim.

Corrosion Resistance Without Treatment or Coating: Grade 6063 aluminium naturally forms a stable, self-renewing oxide layer that protects it from moisture, humidity, and atmospheric pollutants without any applied surface treatment. Channel sections, especially when Anodised to AA25 microns and used in external environments, damp conditions, or high-humidity spaces perform reliably over time, without rust, flaking finish, or painting required. Mill finish channel also provides surface resistance (except in extreme environments) — as the oxide layer forms naturally on the metal’s surface.

Processing Services for Specific Project Requirements: Standard channel lengths can be processed by GA’s Processing Support Team to project requirements: cutting to length, hole drilling, rolling and curving are all available.Please contact our Sales team to discuss your project requirements.

Applications

Panel Edge Framing & Containment: The most common use for aluminium channel is framing and finishing the exposed edges of boards, panels, and composite materials in interior fit-out work. The panel sits inside the U-recess, supported on three sides — producing a clean, consistent metal edge detail on exhibition boards, display panels, shop-fitting units, and internal wall linings. The channel width is selected to closely match the material thickness being framed.

Structural Frame Members & Perimeter Channels: In light fabrication, aluminium channel sections are used as perimeter frame members where the U-form provides both the structural flange and a built-in rebate for panel insertion. Common in the construction of notice boards, display frames, lightweight enclosures, and protective guards, where the channel’s three-sided section gives more inherent rigidity than an angle section while still being straightforward to cut, drill, and fix.

Cable Management & Conduit Routing: Open-top aluminium channel is a practical solution for surface-mounted cable management in commercial, industrial, and technical environments, where electrical cabling or data conduit needs to be routed along a wall or structural member in a contained, accessible run. The continuous U-form keeps cables organised and protected from mechanical damage, and the profile can be covered with a matching flat bar or lid piece where a fully enclosed route is required, subject to health and safety regulations.