Since 1988 a new series of 'mandatory' European standards (EN = Europaischen Normen) has been created, to replace national standards, such as BS, DIN, SS and NF, throughout 18 countries of Western Europe. EN are a part of the 'Single Market' legislation, designed to give equal opportunities for firms to compete throughout Europe, by harmonising the technical requirements between countries.   The national standards bodies, of which BSI is one, are required to officially withdraw their national standards, when an EN is created with the same scope of application.

Consistent pattern of Standards
The aim is to produce a logical, common pattern,in which items are standardised in one document only, reference being made to this document from other standards. For example, tensile testing methods are standardised in a different document to material property values, and dimensional tolerances in other separate standards. Thus, changed requirements need only to be written into one document.

Implementation of EN
The fact that BSI and the other national bodies publish EN does not compel people to use them. (Note the continued use of the BS 'Emergency Number' (also EN) series of steels years after they have been officially replaced}.   Only when suppliers and customers fully accept and understand European Standards, will it actually happen.

This standard is essentially a reference standard which defines steel products according to : a) Their shape and dimensions : b) Their appearance and surface condition. The standard simply provides agreed definitions of steel products and typically includes sections on ingots and semi-finished products, flat products, electrical steels, long products.

This is a steel material designation system based on names.  These names consist of alpha numerical characters and define two main groups of steels

Steels Designated On The Basis Of Their Use And Their Mechanical Properties.

A number of letters with their mechanical property identifiers are listed below

e.g. S420 designates a structural steel(S) with a specified yield strength of 420MPa(420)

—Non alloy Steels ..The relevant coding consists of a C followed by two numbers = 100 x Carbon content.

—Non alloy Steel with Manganese content => 1%, non alloy free cutting steels and alloy steels except HSS where content of all alloys =< 5%... The relevant coding consists of 100 x Carbon % content then Chemical symbols indicating most important alloys then number indicating the associated % contents.

—Alloy Steels.. The relevant coding consists of an X then 100 x Carbon % content then chemical symbol indicating most important alloys. then numbers indicating the associated % contents. e.g. X2CrNi18-9 designates a stainless steel whose average contents in carbon, Chromium and Nickel are about 0,02%, 18% and 9% respectively.

BS EN 10027-2:1992 Designation systems for steels. Steel numbers

The other system is a numerical system.   The steel numbers consist of 1 followed by a point and 4 figures.  As an example the steel numbers of the above-mentioned steels are 1,8836 and 1,4307.   The steel numbers are allocated by a European Registering Office.   The registering authority has been given to VDEh in Dusseldorf.
Various number ranges identifying the general number trends are listed below
Note: XX numbers (01-99)are allocated sequentially
Carbon Steels

Number = 1.00XX (& 1.90XX )..Base Steels
Number = 1.01XX(& 1.91XX )..Quality Steel (General structural steels with R_m < 500MPa )
Number = 1.02XX(& 1.92XX )..Other Structural Steels (Not intended for heat treatment with R_m < 500MPa )
Number = 1.03XX(& 1.93XX )..Steels with average C< 0,12% or Rm < 400 MPa
Number = 1.93XX..Steels with average C< 0,12% or Rm < 400 MPa
Number = 1.04XX(& 1.94XX )..Steels with average C >= 0,12% < 0,25% or Rm ≥ 500 MPa
Number = 1.05XX (& 1.95XX )..Steels with average C >= 0,25% < 0,55% or Rm ≥ 500MPa < 700 MPa
Number = 1.06XX(& 1.96XX )..Steels with average C > 0,55% or Rm ≥ 700 MPa
Number = 1.07XX (& 1.97XX )..Steels with higher P or S content

Number = 1.10XX (& 1.90XX ) ..Special steels (Steels with special physical properties )
Number = 1.11XX ..Special steels (Structural Pressure vessel and engineering steels with C < 0,5% )
Number = 1.12XX(& 1.90XX ) ..Special steels (Structural Pressure vessel and engineering steels with C ≥ 0,5% )
Number = 1.13XX ..Special steels (Structural Pressure vessel and engineering steels with special requirements
Number = 1.14XX..Special steels
Number = 1.15XX to 1.18XX..Tool steels
Number = 1.19XX..Special steels

Number = 1.08XX(& 1.98XX )..Steels with special physical properties
Number = 1.09XX(& 1.99XX )..Steels for other applications
Number = 1.2000-1.2999-..Tool Steels

[ Number = 1.20XX..Tool Steels-Cr
Number = 1.21XX..Tool Steels-(Cr-si , Cr-Mn ,Cr-Mn-Si,
Number = 1.22XX..Tool Steels-(Cr-V , Cr-V_Si ,Cr-V-Mn,Cr-V-Mn_Si
Number = 1,23XX..Tool Steels .. (Cr-Mo, Cr-Mo-V, Mo-V )
Number = 1,24XX..Tool Steels .. (W, Cr-W)
Number = 1,25XX..Tool Steels .. (W-V, Cr-W-V)
Number = 1,26XX..Tool Steels .. (other W)
Number = 1,27XX..Tool Steels .. (with Ni)
Number = 1,28XX..Other Tool Steels )
Number = 1,29XX..Other Tool Steels ]

Number = 1.3000-1.3999..Special Steels -Miscellaneous Steels

Number = 1,35XX..Miscellaneous Steels.. (Bearing Steels)

Number = 1,39XX..Steels with special physical properties with Ni

Number = 1.4000-1.4999..Special Steels -Stainless and Heat Resisting

Number = 1.43XX..Stainless Steels ( >= 2.5% Ni but without Ni, Mo & Ti)
Number = 1.44XX..Stainless steel with <= 2,5% Ni and Mo, but without Nb and Ti)

Number = 1.5000-1.8999..Special Steels -Structural, pressure vessel and engineering steels

Number = 1.51XX..Structural,Pressure Vessel,Engineering Steels . (Mn-Si, Mn-Cr Steels)

Number = 1.61XX..Special steels, structural, Pressure Vessel and Engineering steels

Number = 1.70XX..Cr, Cr-B

These standards are the latest European standards for structural steel.
They replace BS 4360, BS EN 10025:1993, BS EN 10113:1993, BS EN 10155:1993 BS EN 10137:1996.


Steel Names according to EN 10027-1 in form of ....X(1) nnn(2) Xn (3) Xn(4).....Example    S355J2G3

1)  X = Letter identifying use i.e S= Structural Steel, E = Engineering steels without requirements for toughness and weldability

2)   nnn = Number identifying minimum yield Strength(N/mm ²)

3)   Xn = Information on impact property
Testing Temperature = 20 ^o C,   JR = 27Joule,   KR = 40Joule
Testing Temperature = 0 ^o C,   J0 = 27Joule ,   K0 =40Joule
Testing Temperature = -20 ^o C,   J2 = 27Joule,   K2 = 40Joule

4)   Xn = Symbols for special requirements
Deoxidation Method ...G1= Rimming Steel, G2 =Rimming Steel not permitted,
Delivery conditions...G3 = Normalised/ Normalised Rolled, G4 = Manufactures Discretion.

Steel Names generally in accordance with BS EN 10027-1 in the form of ........X(1) nnn(2) X (3) Xn(4)....Example. P265GH, P275NL1, S355NL, S355ML

1)  X = Letter identifying use i.e S= Structural Steel, P = Steel for Pressure purposes

2)   nnn = Number identifying minimum yield Strength(N/mm ²)

3)   X = Letter identifying condition
N = Normalised
G = Other Characteristic follows
M = Thermomechanically Rolled

4)   Xn identifies property information
H = Elevated Temperature Property.   Possible requirements for tensile test at high temperature.
L = Low temperature property, Impact testing at -10 Deg. C
L1 = Low temperature property, Impact testing at -50 Deg. C
L2 = Special low temperature property, Impact testing at -50 Deg.   With enhanced requirements

The scope of this standard relates to

The scope and steel naming conventions and the designations are similar to those for BS 10083-1

Steels are regarded as free cutting if the sulfur content is at least 0,1%.
The steels are designated in accordance with BS EN 10027-1 and the steel numbers are allocated in accordance with BS EN 10027-2.
The Standard includes material designations, chemical compositions and mechanical properties

In accordance with this standard the information to be supplied by the purchases includes the following...

a) The quantity to be delivered. e.g. 20 off
b) The product form e.g. round or square.
c) The Standard of for dimensions e.g EURONORM 59 (HR Square Bars for General Purposes) / EURONORM 60 (HR Round Bars for General Purposes) etc
d) The dimensions and tolerances on dimensions and shape if applicable (Letters denoting the tolerances)
e) The number of the European Standard e.g BS EN 10087
f) Steel name (in accordance with BS EN 10027-1 (chemical composition) or number in accordance with BS EN 10027-2.
  e.g. 35S20 (0.35% carbon, 0,2% Sulpher - average %'s) or 1.7026
g) The standard designation for the test report.

Example...
20, round, EURONORM 60, 40 x 8,000;
BS EN 10087, 35S20,
EN 10204 2.2

BS EN 10088-1 Stainless Steels -Part 1 : List of Stainless Steels
BS EN 10088-2 Stainless Steels Part 2: Technical Delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip for general purposes
BS EN 10088-3 Stainless Steels -Part 3 Technical delivery conditions for semi-finished products, bars, rods and sections for general purposes.

The three parts of EN 10088 were published in October 1995.

Part 1 is a new idea, a reference list of 83 stainless steels, giving chemical composition, various physical properties, including density and a general description of the various classes of stainless steels. It is not intended for the direct placing of orders.    The intention is that the steels required in the various steel product standards and application standards shall be selected from this list, as far as possible.   They should not be defined slightly differently unintentionally, nor without a technical reason for different chemistry.   Eventually the list in part 1 will be expanded to include corrosion resistant, hot oxidation resistant and creep resistant stainless steels, for general and pressure vessel use, with a cross-reference matrix showing which steels are in which standards, including the main application standards.    At the moment there are frequent additions to this information.

BS EN 10088-2 Stainless Steels Part 2: Technical Delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip for general purposes

This part of EN 10088 gives the properties and other delivery conditions for flat products for general purposes, i.e. not for pressure vessels nor for aerospace or other specialised applications, such as springs, It is used for ordering purposes.   It contains 68 steels, more than BS1449-2 which it largely replaces.

It is based on a steel naming and numbering system, developed from the German Werkstoff system, which was the most suitable system available at the time the first EN standards were created.

Steel grades are classed as 'standard' or 'special' depending on how widely available they are, and how wide is their scope of application. 'Special' grades are likely to be more difficult to obtain, although the technical requirements are not different in kind between the two classes. There should be at least one grade listed, suitable for each general application. Mechanical properties are significantly more demanding than in BS 1449:2 but quite attainable in practice, with generally higher strength values, demonstrating the very useful properties of stainless steels.

Proof stress values at elevated temperatures are included and properties in the work hardened condition.

This is the corresponding standard for long products, but unlike BS970:1 which is replaces it does not cover forgings. Forgings are being covered in a separate standard being developed.

The standard covers cold-rolled not coated low-carbon steel flat products in rolled widths equal to or over 600mm for cold forming with minimum thickness of 0,36mm and generally less than 3mm thicknes.   The material is supplied in sheet, coil, slit coil or cut lengths -from slit coils or sheet

The information to be supplied by the purchases includes
a) The word sheet, coil,slit coil or cut length
b) The reference of this Standard BS EN 10130 + A1
or the number according to BS EN 10027- 2.
d) The symbol referencing the required surface quality (A or B)
e) If necessary the symbol relating to the surface finish. (b = Bright, g = semi-bright, m = normal, r = rough.

Example: - sheet EN 10130+A1 -DC02 - A - m

These standards relate to the delivery conditions for alloy and non-alloy steels supplied in cold rolled strips of up to 600mm width for heat treatment  The steel names in these standards are allocated according to BS EN 10027-1 and CR 10260 and the steel numbers are allocated in accordance with BS EN 10027-2.

The ordering information require by the purchaser for steel to these standards include..

Example ;
5 tons of cold rolled narrow strip EN 10140-1,5x200GK
BS EN 10132-2-1.7131+A
EN 10204-2,2

These standards specifies requirements for flat products made of weldable, hot rolled, high strength alloy quality and special steels for cold forming...

The steels specified in part 2 and 3 of this standard are applicable to hot rolled flat products in the range 1,5mm to 20mm for steels with R_eH <= 460 N/mm² and steels 1,5mm to 16mm for steels with minimum yield strength.

The standard does not apply to products for pressure vessels and products for which other European standards apply e.g. BS EN 10025, BS EN 10137, BS EN 10210

When purchasing steel in accordance with this standard the following information shall be provided
a) Details of the product form and quantity.
b) Reference to the standards
c) Nominal dimensions and tolerances
d) The grade and delivery condition of the steel
e) The type of inspection document


The designation of a steel in accordance with this specification consists of the number of the standard followed by either the steel number ( or the symbol S , the indication of the minimum specified yield strand (N/mm² ),
The symbol for the delivery condition (M or N) .. M = Thermomechanically rolled , N = Normalised
The capital letter C indicating that the steel is suitable for cold forming

For example the designation of a thermomechanically rolled steel (M) for structural duties (S) with a minimum yield strength of 420 N/mm² suitable for cold forming would be specified as

BS EN 10149-2 1,980 or BS EN 10149-2 S450MC

These standards replace BS 1504: 1976.  They include materials for parts subject to pressure vessel construction codes.  

The standards applies to castings joined by weld only when the welding is done at the foundry and not when the castings are welded to wrought steels.

The castings grades are named generally in accordance with BS EN 10027-1 and numbered in accordance with BS EN 10027-2

Note: Steel products are defined in BS EN 10079:1992
These standards cover bright steel bars in drawing, turned or ground conditions.   They do not cover cold rolled products and cut lengths from strip or sheet produced by cutting


Part 1 ..General

Drawn products:
These are products of various cross section shapes which are obtained after descaling, by drawing of hot rolled bar or rod on a draw bench.  This involves cold deformation without removing material.   This operation gives the product special features with respect to shape, dimensional accuracy (BS ISO 286 IT11 or better) and surface finish. This process results in cold working on the material.

Turned products
Round bar produced by turning on a lathe of Cold Drawn steel (Turning Hot rolled steel is not part of this standard).  The turning removes surface defects and carburisation.

Ground /Polished Bar
Cold Drawn and/or Turned bar is ground or polished to improve the surface quality and dimensional accuracy.

This steel is classified in accordance with BS EN 10020 and identified in accordance with the relevant Standard BS EN 10277 parts 2-5.
The steel designation is in accordance with BS EN 10027 -1 and the number is in accordance with BS EN 10027-2

In accordance with this standard the information to be supplied by the purchases includes the following...

a) The quantity to be delivered (mass/number of bars) . e.g. 2t
b) The product shape (round, square, hexagon, flat ) e.g. round
c) The dimensional Standard e.g BS EN 10278
d) The dimensions and tolerances e.g 20mm dia , tolerance h9, stock length 6 000mm
e) Reference to European Standard e.g BS EN 10277-3
f) Steel name -in accordance with BS EN 10027-1 (chemical composition) or number in accordance with BS EN 10027-2. e.g. 38SMn28 (1.0760)
(0.38% Carbon, 0,28% Sulphur - average %'s) or 1.7021
g) Delivery condition e.g +C
h) Class of surface quality e.g class 3

Example...
2t, rounds, BS EN 10278-20h9 x stock 6 000

This standard replaces BS 3100:1991 and includes steels according to the naming convention in BS EN 10027.

The standard includes cast steels for use in general engineering including machinery , automotive, armament , agriculture etc.
Suffixes are included with the name to identify the heat treatment requirements. i.e +N, +QT etc.