EN 10020 isolates stainless steels as a unique category distinct from other alloy steels. To be classified as stainless under this standard, the steel must have a chromium content of at least 10.5% and a maximum carbon content of 1.2%. The standard further divides stainless steels into:
The standard serves two primary functions: defining what qualifies as "steel" (Clause 2) and providing a hierarchical classification for different steel grades (Clauses 3-4). en 10020 pdf
EN 10020 is part of a broader ecosystem of European steel standards. Professionals often use it in conjunction with other standards that reference its classifications. These include: EN 10020 isolates stainless steels as a unique
Also commonly referred to as carbon steels, this category includes steel grades where the content of each alloying element remains below a specific limit value defined by EN 10020. For example, the standard stipulates a manganese (Mn) limit of up to 1.65%, a silicon (Si) limit of up to 0.60%, and chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and molybdenum (Mo) limits of 0.30%, 0.30%, and 0.08% respectively. These materials form the foundation of basic steel production and are widely used in general construction and manufacturing. EN 10020 is part of a broader ecosystem
: Steels with stricter requirements regarding properties like toughness, grain size, or formability.
The standard divides steel into three primary groups based on chemical composition:
The standard is the foundational European document that provides a precise definition of steel and establishes a comprehensive framework for its classification. For engineers, manufacturers, and procurement specialists, the EN 10020 PDF is a critical reference used to ensure that materials meet specific chemical and quality requirements across the European market. What is EN 10020?