Overview
EN 10027 separates symbolic steel names from numerical material numbers. Both help identify a steel, but neither replaces the EN product standard, delivery condition, thickness-dependent properties, inspection document or project requirements needed for an order.
Designation and acceptance
EN 10027-1 establishes steel names and EN 10027-2 establishes the numerical material-number system. A steel name may reflect application, mechanical-property or chemical-composition logic, while a material number provides a structured numerical identifier. The purchaser must connect either identifier to the specific EN product standard that defines orderable requirements.
Members and selection
| Designation | Selection context |
|---|---|
| Steel name | Use the complete symbolic name and suffixes exactly as defined in the relevant product standard; do not decode it outside that scope. |
| Material number | Use the 1.xxxx numerical identifier as a cross-reference and identity control, then verify the associated product standard and condition. |
| Delivery-condition suffix | Treat symbols such as normalized, thermomechanically rolled or quenched-and-tempered conditions as part of the order where the product standard uses them. |
| Additional option | Impact class, through-thickness property or other suffixes must be read against the governing document rather than treated as generic grade upgrades. |
Comparison framework
| Criterion | Decision context |
|---|---|
| Naming basis | Steel names can reflect use/properties or composition; the applicable product standard determines the parsing rules. |
| Numerical identity | Material numbers provide stable numerical identification but do not state the full purchase condition. |
| Product coverage | The same family identifier cannot be assumed to cover plate, section, bar, tube and forging requirements equally. |
| International comparison | A nominally comparable ASTM, JIS or GB grade requires product, condition, property and test review before substitution. |
Performance
- Yield and toughness requirements often vary with product standard, thickness, delivery condition and test orientation.
- Composition-based steel names do not guarantee finished-product properties without processing and acceptance requirements.
- Service suitability still requires design code, welding, corrosion, temperature and fabrication review.
Orderable product scope
- Structural plate and sections must cite the applicable EN product standard, full steel name, dimensions and delivery condition.
- Pressure-purpose products must cite the relevant EN 10028 or tubular standard rather than only a material number.
- Stainless flat, long and tubular products require their product-specific EN standard, finish/condition and inspection document.
Processing
- Preserve the ordered delivery condition through certificate review because suffixes can affect welding and property assumptions.
- Set forming and welding controls from the product standard, thickness and actual certificate rather than the name pattern alone.
- Check heat-treatment restrictions and property retesting when fabrication changes the delivered condition.
Applications
- Preparing EN-based structural, pressure-equipment and mechanical-product RFQs.
- Checking that steel names and material numbers on certificates refer to the same intended product.
- Building a controlled comparison against a non-EN designation for engineering review.
Selection
- Start with the EN product standard that covers the required form and service.
- Select the full steel name and material number from that standard, including required suffixes and condition.
- Verify thickness range, properties, tests, inspection document and project additions before approving a comparison.
Procurement
- State the EN product standard and contract-required edition.
- State the complete steel name, material number and delivery-condition suffix.
- Define form, dimensions, tolerances, surface/finish and quantity.
- Define inspection document, testing, options, marking and project-specific requirements.