IPE 300 vs H-300x150x6.5x11
IPE 300 is an IPE section from the European (Continental) range; H-300x150x6.5x11 is the closest equivalent in the European (Continental) range. They are close to interchangeable in bending: 628 cm³ against 633 cm³ of plastic modulus, a difference of 0.8%. They weigh essentially the same, 42.2 kg/m and 41.4 kg/m. Both are about 302 mm deep, so either fits the same construction zone.
| Property | IPE 300 IPE | H-300x150x6.5x11 MB & MC | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mass | 42.2 kg/m | 41.4 kg/m | +1.9% |
| Depth | 300 mm | 304 mm | -1.3% |
| Width | 150 mm | 150 mm | same |
| Web thickness | 7.1 mm | 6.5 mm | +9.2% |
| Flange thickness | 10.7 mm | 11 mm | -2.7% |
| Area | 53.8 cm² | 52.8 cm² | +1.9% |
| Second moment, major (Iy) | 8,360 cm⁴ | 8,578 cm⁴ | -2.5% |
| Plastic modulus, major (Wpl,y) | 628 cm³ | 633 cm³ | -0.8% |
| Elastic modulus, major (Wel,y) | 557 cm³ | 564 cm³ | -1.2% |
| Second moment, minor (Iz) | 604 cm⁴ | 620 cm⁴ | -2.6% |
| Plastic modulus, minor (Wpl,z) | 125 cm³ | 128 cm³ | -2.3% |
| Radius of gyration, minor (iz) | 3.35 cm | 3.43 cm | -2.3% |
| Torsion constant (It) | 19.9 cm⁴ | 18.8 cm⁴ | +5.9% |
IPE 300 to EN 10365 · Continental Steel; H-300x150x6.5x11 to Continental Steel. Difference is expressed relative to H-300x150x6.5x11.
How to choose between them
On stiffness, H-300x150x6.5x11 has the larger second moment of area: 8,578 cm⁴ against 8,360 cm⁴, a difference of 2.5%. 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, H-300x150x6.5x11 is the more efficient section: 15.3 against 14.9 cm³ per kg/m, 2.7% 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.
In short, these two are genuine equivalents. Pick whichever your supplier stocks and the rest of the frame already uses.