Also known as W- and WF-beams, H-bars have wide flanges for strength. Made of alloy steel, they're often used in machine bases, platforms, and frames. Alloy steel contains silicon and vanadium to boost strength and hardness, so it bends less under load than carbon steel. Surface harden it for added wear resistance.

H-bars have wider flanges than I-beams, making them stronger but also heavier. They’re easier to weld as their straight flanges offer more surface area than I-beams’ tapered flanges.

The beam trade number indicates the channel’s outside width and weight in lbs./ft. This gives you an easy reference for selecting the right size and strength for your needs.