The standard classifies steel into three main categories based on the mass percentage of alloying elements:
Once the chemical category is determined, EN 10020 further refines the steel into quality classes based on its intended property profiles and manufacturing care. Non-Alloy Steel Quality Classes:
European CE marking and Pressure Equipment Directives (PED) demand traceably classified materials. EN 10020 provides the baseline definitions required to prove a material fits regulatory descriptions.
For students and researchers in materials science, EN 10020 is a key reference document. It provides the official European taxonomy of steels, which is crucial for writing reports, theses, or technical papers.
: These are basic steels. They do not need special heat treatment. They are used for simple parts and structural builds. en 10020 pdf
If you need the for a specific job, also consider downloading:
Stainless steels are defined as alloy steels containing at least and with a maximum carbon content of 1.2% . This high chromium content forms a passive oxide layer on the surface that provides excellent corrosion resistance.
Groups steel into categories by its alloy content and quality. How EN 10020 Defines Steel
As of 2025, the current version of the standard is (published in February 2020). It supersedes the previous version, EN 10020:2000. The standard classifies steel into three main categories
Because EN standards are protected by copyright, downloading a free EN 10020 PDF from unverified file-sharing websites poses legal and structural risks (such as working from outdated or corrupted revisions).
Stainless steels are defined as steels containing a minimum of 10.5% Chromium (Cr) and a maximum of 1.2% Carbon (C) by weight. These steels are primarily chosen for their exceptional corrosion resistance and high-temperature performance. Other Alloy Steels
: Accurately describing materials in technical specifications to avoid procurement errors. How to Access the Standard
A clear example is the manufacturing of structural hollow sections. Standards like EN 10210-1 specify that the fine-grain alloy special steels used in their production must be defined in accordance with EN 10020. This ensures that the base material meets the necessary quality and safety standards before it is even shaped into a final product. For students and researchers in materials science, EN
Within each chemical category, EN 10020 further classifies steel into "quality classes" based on their intended application or specific properties like toughness and grain size control:
Steels with superior purity, high toughness, or specific chemical, physical, or technical properties.
The second major classification in EN 10020 divides steels into quality classes based on their intended application and property requirements.
The standard divides steel into three primary groups based on chemical composition:
Understanding EN 10020 is essential for anyone involved in the steel supply chain. Here is why: