What is UPE channels?
UPE (DIN 1026-2, 2002) is the parallel-flange channel developed to replace UPN in Eurocode-era construction. Depths match the UPN series (80–400 mm) but the flanges are 5–15 mm wider, of constant thickness, and the web is thinner — the section puts its steel in the flanges, where bending is resisted, rather than in the web and root. The result is 5–15 % less mass for equal bending capacity, a larger minor-axis stiffness (better as a single member), and a flat flange face that takes standard bolts and washers, cleats and end plates without machining or taper washers. It is the channel of German, Benelux and Scandinavian designs, of prefabricated steel-frame systems and of anything bolted rather than welded. Turkish mills roll the small and medium sizes; the large sizes come from EU mills, which is why UPE carries a price premium over UPN in Turkey and ships in 2–4 weeks except for the stocked 100–200 range.
UPE dimensions and weight per metre
| Designation | h (mm) | b (mm) | tw (mm) | tf (mm) | kg/m | kg per 12 m | Bars per ton (12 m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPE 80 | 80 | 50 | 4.0 | 7.0 | 7.90 | 95 | 11 |
| UPE 100 | 100 | 55 | 4.5 | 7.5 | 9.82 | 118 | 8 |
| UPE 120 | 120 | 60 | 5.0 | 8.0 | 12.1 | 145 | 7 |
| UPE 140 | 140 | 65 | 5.0 | 9.0 | 14.5 | 174 | 6 |
| UPE 160 | 160 | 70 | 5.5 | 9.5 | 17.0 | 204 | 5 |
| UPE 180 | 180 | 75 | 5.5 | 10.5 | 19.7 | 236 | 4 |
| UPE 200 | 200 | 80 | 6.0 | 11.0 | 22.8 | 274 | 4 |
| UPE 220 | 220 | 85 | 6.5 | 12.0 | 26.6 | 319 | 3 |
| UPE 240 | 240 | 90 | 7.0 | 12.5 | 30.2 | 362 | 3 |
| UPE 270 | 270 | 95 | 7.5 | 13.5 | 35.2 | 422 | 2 |
| UPE 300 | 300 | 100 | 9.5 | 15.0 | 44.4 | 533 | 2 |
| UPE 330 | 330 | 105 | 11.0 | 16.0 | 53.2 | 638 | 2 |
| UPE 360 | 360 | 110 | 12.0 | 17.0 | 61.2 | 734 | 1 |
| UPE 400 | 400 | 115 | 13.5 | 18.0 | 72.2 | 866 | 1 |
Flanges parallel and of constant thickness. Tolerances EN 10279: depth ±2–3 mm, width ±2–3 mm, mass ±4–6 %.
Grades and standards
| Grade | Yield (MPa) | Impact | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| S235JR | 235 | 27 J at +20 °C | the stock grade for channels, angles and flats |
| S275JR | 275 | 27 J at +20 °C | to order |
| S355J2 | 355 | 27 J at −20 °C | heavy or cold-climate structures, to order |
| A36 / A572 Gr. 50 | 250 / 345 | on order | ASTM projects |
Certified to EN 10025-2, CE-marked under EN 10025-1; S235JR is the stocked grade — sections are mostly governed by stiffness and connection geometry, so the higher grades are ordered only where the design demands them.
Lengths, tolerances and stock
Lengths 6 and 12 m (+100/−0). Dilovası stock: UPE 100–200 in S235JR; other sizes and S355J2 from Turkish or EU mill programmes in 2–4 weeks. EN 10279 tolerances: depth ±2–3 mm, width ±2–3 mm, flange thickness ±0.5–1.5 mm, straightness ≤ 0.2 %, mass ±4–6 %. Cut lengths ±3 mm.
Cutting, drilling and galvanizing
Sawing, drilling on the beam-line (no taper washers needed), punching on light sizes, welding into frames and box sections, hot-dip galvanizing to EN ISO 1461, blast-and-prime — in our Dilovası workshop. UPE galvanizes cleanly because the flat flanges drain well.
Where it is used
- Bolted secondary framing in Eurocode-designed buildings
- Purlins and side rails on light industrial roofs
- Stair stringers and platform framing
- Machine, conveyor and equipment frames
- Modular building and prefabricated frame systems
- Trailer and vehicle body rails where weight matters
UPE vs UPN — which channel to buy
Equal depth, less weight, plain bolting: UPE wins on engineering. UPN wins on availability and price per ton in Turkey and the Middle East and on matching older drawings. For an export project priced per ton delivered, run the numbers — a 10 % lighter member often beats a 5 % cheaper ton. See UPN channels and the overview steel channels.
Price
UPE is priced above UPN per ton (EU sourcing on the large sizes); the bands below give the month's indicative FOB Istanbul ranges for the light and heavy sizes.
Bands from our weekly export list (September 2026), FOB Istanbul, full-container quantities, excluding freight and certificates. Firm price per project on RFQ within one working day.
Export and packing
UPE channels is bundled by size — 6 m bars in bundles of 1–2 t, 12 m bars in 2–3 t — strapped at four points with edge protectors under the straps and a bundle tag carrying size, grade, heat and length. A 40' HC takes about 24–25 t of 6 m bars; 12 m bars travel in 40' flat-racks or as breakbulk from Derince. HS code 7216.
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| MOQ | 10 t (mixed sizes accepted) |
| Incoterms | FOB Istanbul · CIF / CFR Gulf, Africa · DAP EU, Balkans, Iraq, Caucasus · DAP Aktau |
| Lead time | Stock UPE 100–200: 5–8 working days; other sizes 2–4 weeks |
| Packing | Bundles 1–2 t, strapped, tagged |
| Container / truck | 40' HC ≈ 24–25 t of 6 m; 12 m flat-rack |
| Documents | Invoice, packing list, EN 10204 3.1, CE DoP, certificate of origin; SASO / SONCAP / PVoC on request |
| Payment | 30% advance, balance against B/L copy; L/C at sight above 100 t |
Certificates
Every bundle of UPE channels is traceable to an EN 10204 3.1 certificate with heat number, chemistry and mechanical results; the sections are CE-marked under EN 10025-1, and 3.2 certification by Lloyd's, BV or TÜV can be arranged per lot.
How to order
Send size, grade, length or cut list, quantity, drilling and coating; for sizes above UPE 200 we confirm the mill date within one working day.
Standards
- EN 10365:2017 / DIN 1026-2 — dimensions
- EN 10279 — tolerances
- EN 10025-2 — S235JR, S275JR, S355J2
- EN 10025-1 — CE marking
Grades
Grade data sheets (chemistry, mechanicals, equivalents) are on our reference site: S235JR · S355J2 · S275JR
Frequently asked questions
What is a UPE channel?
The European parallel-flange steel channel to DIN 1026-2 / EN 10365, sizes UPE 80–400 — the modern replacement for the tapered-flange UPN.
Is UPE lighter than UPN?
Yes — 5–15 % lighter for the same depth and bending capacity: UPE 200 = 22.8 kg/m vs UPN 200 = 25.3 kg/m.
What is PFC?
Parallel Flange Channel — the British Standard (BS 4-1) equivalent series; UPE is the European counterpart with similar but not identical dimensions.
How much does UPE 120 weigh?
12.1 kg/m — 145 kg per 12 m bar.