Used in applications like structural plates, rails, and tubing where specific mechanical properties are required, but processing demands are moderate.
Non-alloy steels are often called carbon steels. They contain very small amounts of other elements. EN 10020 lists strict limit values for these steels. For example, a steel is non-alloy if it has less than: 1.65% Manganese 0.40% Silicon 0.30% Chromium 0.30% Nickel 2. Alloy Steels
(designation systems) to provide a complete identification for a steel grade. www.mchip.net Accessing the PDF
Uses EN 10020 rules to categorize structural steel products. en 10020 pdf
The standard divides steel into three main groups based on chemistry: Non-Alloy Steels
In this world, Stainless Steels are the immortal royalty. They do not scar, and they do not decay under the touch of air and water. But the price of admission to this royal family is absolute: must contain .
| Standard | Purpose | | :--- | :--- | | | System for designating steel names (symbolic names). | | EN 10027-2 | System for assigning steel numbers (material numbers, e.g., 1.4301). | | EN 10204 | Types of inspection documents for metallic products. | | EN 10079 | Definition of steel products (semi-finished, bars, wire, etc.). | | EN 10025 series | Hot-rolled structural steel (uses EN 10020 classification). | Used in applications like structural plates, rails, and
Beyond chemical makeup, EN 10020 further classifies steel grades into . This classification is based on the steel's defining property or its intended application area. For all three chemical classes (non-alloy, stainless, and other alloy), the standard defines two main quality tiers:
Non-alloy steels (often referred to as carbon steels) are those where the percentage of each alloying element does not reach a specific limit defined by the standard. EN 10020 includes a strict table outlining these boundary lines. For example, a steel is considered non-alloy if it contains less than: 1.65% Silicon (Si): 0.60% Copper (Cu): 0.40% Chromium (Cr): 0.30% Nickel (Ni): 0.30% Stainless Steels
: These are basic steels. They do not need special heat treatment. They are used for simple parts and structural builds. EN 10020 lists strict limit values for these steels
Ordering the wrong quality class (e.g., substituting a non-alloy quality steel for a non-alloy special steel) can lead to catastrophic component failures during heat treatment or operation. How to Access the Official EN 10020 Document
Before the widespread adoption of European standards (Euronorms), individual nations maintained their own classification systems, such as DIN in Germany or BS in the UK. This fragmentation created barriers to trade and technical collaboration. EN 10020 was introduced to harmonize these divergent systems, providing a single, unambiguous method for defining what constitutes "steel" and how different steels relate to one another.
This article serves as a comprehensive resource. We will explain exactly what EN 10020 covers, why it is essential for your supply chain, how to legally obtain the PDF, and how to interpret its core principles.
Official standards are typically copyrighted. You can find comprehensive summaries or purchase the full document through these official portals: BSI Knowledge: BS EN 10020:2000 MCHIP Technical Summary (PDF) Scribd Classification Guide If you were looking for ICAO Doc 10020 (aviation software/EFBs) or the
These are alloy structural steels used in applications like automotive components or pressure vessels where specific mechanical properties are required, but processing demands are standard. Examples include weldable fine-grained structural steels.
