What Is Camber?

Camber

Camber can be defined multiple ways but for the flat roll steel industry, it generally is not desirable as the curvature of the steel can jam or cause misfeeds. It can be most evident the thinner the steel is slit but basically the result of internal shape issues or material being stretched more on one side vs the other. Standard camber tolerance is no more than .25" deviation from straight in 8' although some customers can dictate tighter standards based on their equipment capabilities/die design.

The alternative definition for camber refers to a slight, intentional curvature or bend introduced into a steel beam or structural element. This curvature is typically applied during the manufacturing process to counteract the natural tendency of steel to deform under load, especially when the material is subjected to bending forces. By adding camber, the steel is pre-bent in such a way that, once installed and under load, the beam will straighten out or achieve a more level position.