C 10X25 vs MC 10X22
C 10X25 is an C section from the American AISC Shapes Database; MC 10X22 is the closest equivalent in the American AISC Shapes Database. MC 10X22 carries more bending: 391.65 cm³ of plastic modulus against 378.54 cm³, 3.3% more. MC 10X22 is the lighter of the two at 32.7 kg/m against 37.2 kg/m, a saving of 13.8% on steel weight. Both are about 254 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | C 10X25 C | MC 10X22 MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 37.2 kg/m | 32.7 kg/m | +13.8% |
| Depth | 254 mm | 254 mm | same |
| Width | 73.4 mm | 84.3 mm | -12.9% |
| Web thickness | 13.4 mm | 7.4 mm | +81.1% |
| Flange thickness | 11.1 mm | 14.6 mm | -24.0% |
| Area | 47.4 cm² | 41.6 cm² | +13.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 3,792 cm⁴ | 4,246 cm⁴ | -10.7% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 378.54 cm³ | 391.65 cm³ | -3.3% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 298.24 cm³ | 335.93 cm³ | -11.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 139 cm⁴ | 266.4 cm⁴ | -47.8% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 52.111 cm³ | 86.688 cm³ | -39.9% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 1.71 cm | 2.53 cm | -32.4% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 28.6 cm⁴ | 21.23 cm⁴ | +34.7% |
C 10X25 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0; MC 10X22 to AISC Shapes Database v16.0. Difference is expressed relative to MC 10X22.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, MC 10X22 has the larger second moment of area: 4,246 cm⁴ against 3,792 cm⁴, a difference of 10.7%. This matters more often than the strength comparison, because on normal floor spans deflection rather than bending capacity sets the beam size - so if the two are close on modulus but apart on inertia, the stiffer one is usually the better answer even when it is not the stronger one.
Measured as bending capacity per kilogram of steel, MC 10X22 is the more efficient section: 12.0 against 10.2 cm³ per kg/m, 15.0% better. Over a floor of repeated beams that difference is real tonnage, though it is often outweighed by whichever section the fabricator can actually source.
The two diverge much more about the minor axis: MC 10X22 has 86.688 cm³ of minor-axis plastic modulus against 52.111 cm³, 39.9% more. If the member sees any minor-axis bending, or if it is unrestrained over a long length and lateral-torsional buckling governs, that gap decides the comparison even though the major-axis numbers looked equivalent.
In short, MC 10X22 is the stronger section and MC 10X22 is the lighter one; where those are the same section, it is the clear choice, and where they are not, decide on whether your design is governed by capacity or by tonnage.