These are steels where the specified minimum content of alloying elements (like Cr, Ni, Mo, V) does not exceed certain limits. EN 10020 further subdivides non-alloy steels into:
Key characteristic: Iron and carbon are the primary elements; other elements are present only as impurities or in very small, controlled quantities (e.g., Mn < 1.65%, Cu < 0.60%, Si < 0.60%).
Sites claiming "EN 10020 PDF free download" are almost always:
Always get the standard from a legitimate source to ensure you have the latest valid version and to comply with copyright law.
EN 10020:2000 (E) is the European standard titled "Definition and classification of grades of steel." Despite being published in 2000 (and confirmed in later years), it remains the foundational document for how steel is categorized across Europe and many international markets.
Before EN 10020, different countries used disparate naming conventions and classification systems. A steel grade called "X5CrNi18-10" might have been classified differently in Germany (DIN), France (NF), or the UK (BS). EN 10020 harmonized this by providing a universal framework for defining what a "steel grade" actually is.
The standard uses elemental concentration thresholds (mass %) to differentiate categories:
| Element | Non-Alloy Steel (max %) | Alloy Steel (min %) |
|---------|------------------------|---------------------|
| Cr | < 0.30 | ≥ 0.30 |
| Ni | < 0.30 | ≥ 0.30 |
| Mo | < 0.05 | ≥ 0.05 |
| V | < 0.05 | ≥ 0.05 |
| Cu | < 0.40 | ≥ 0.40 |
| W | < 0.10 | ≥ 0.10 |
Exception: Stainless steels require Cr ≥ 10.5% regardless of other elements.
EN 10020 is a European Standard (EN) titled “Classification and designation of steel grades.” Published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), it establishes the rules for how steels are defined, classified, and designated based on their chemical composition.
It is the foundational standard that underpins almost every other steel standard in Europe. Without it, designations like S235JR or 42CrMo4 would lack a standardized definition framework.
You can also purchase from CEN’s national members in your country (e.g., ANSI in the US, SNZ in New Zealand, SABS in South Africa). They all sell the exact same content, just with a national wrapper.
A buyer orders "non-alloy steel" but the material has 0.85% Manganese. EN 10020 explicitly says Mn over 0.80% makes it alloy steel. The supplier delivers non-alloy steel? Reject it. The standard is your legal shield.
En 10020 Pdf May 2026
These are steels where the specified minimum content of alloying elements (like Cr, Ni, Mo, V) does not exceed certain limits. EN 10020 further subdivides non-alloy steels into:
Key characteristic: Iron and carbon are the primary elements; other elements are present only as impurities or in very small, controlled quantities (e.g., Mn < 1.65%, Cu < 0.60%, Si < 0.60%).
Sites claiming "EN 10020 PDF free download" are almost always:
Always get the standard from a legitimate source to ensure you have the latest valid version and to comply with copyright law. en 10020 pdf
EN 10020:2000 (E) is the European standard titled "Definition and classification of grades of steel." Despite being published in 2000 (and confirmed in later years), it remains the foundational document for how steel is categorized across Europe and many international markets.
Before EN 10020, different countries used disparate naming conventions and classification systems. A steel grade called "X5CrNi18-10" might have been classified differently in Germany (DIN), France (NF), or the UK (BS). EN 10020 harmonized this by providing a universal framework for defining what a "steel grade" actually is.
The standard uses elemental concentration thresholds (mass %) to differentiate categories: These are steels where the specified minimum content
| Element | Non-Alloy Steel (max %) | Alloy Steel (min %) |
|---------|------------------------|---------------------|
| Cr | < 0.30 | ≥ 0.30 |
| Ni | < 0.30 | ≥ 0.30 |
| Mo | < 0.05 | ≥ 0.05 |
| V | < 0.05 | ≥ 0.05 |
| Cu | < 0.40 | ≥ 0.40 |
| W | < 0.10 | ≥ 0.10 |
Exception: Stainless steels require Cr ≥ 10.5% regardless of other elements.
EN 10020 is a European Standard (EN) titled “Classification and designation of steel grades.” Published by the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), it establishes the rules for how steels are defined, classified, and designated based on their chemical composition. Key characteristic: Iron and carbon are the primary
It is the foundational standard that underpins almost every other steel standard in Europe. Without it, designations like S235JR or 42CrMo4 would lack a standardized definition framework.
You can also purchase from CEN’s national members in your country (e.g., ANSI in the US, SNZ in New Zealand, SABS in South Africa). They all sell the exact same content, just with a national wrapper.
A buyer orders "non-alloy steel" but the material has 0.85% Manganese. EN 10020 explicitly says Mn over 0.80% makes it alloy steel. The supplier delivers non-alloy steel? Reject it. The standard is your legal shield.