In Europe, every standardized or registered steel grade has two designations: a steel name according to EN 10027-1 and a material number (German: Werkstoffnummer) according to EN 10027-2. The material number is a short numerical key that identifies a steel grade unambiguously. That is why it is used so often in drawings, bills of materials, purchase orders and materials databases.
Structure of a material number
A steel material number has the form 1.XXYY. A full stop separates the first digit from the rest:
| Position | Meaning | Example 1.4301 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Material group: 1 stands for steel | 1 |
| XX | Steel group number (00 to 99) | 43 |
| YY | Sequential number within the steel group | 01 |
Since the 2015 edition of the standard, the sequential number can be extended to four digits because some steel groups are fully occupied. The additional digits are only allocated once the two-digit sequential numbers of a group have been used up, i.e. after 1.XX99, for example 1.XX9901.
Other material groups, such as 2 for heavy non-ferrous metals or 3 for light non-ferrous metals, originate from the German numbering system according to DIN 17007 and are not covered by EN 10027-2.
What the steel group number tells you
The steel group number assigns a grade to a steel class. The grouping follows the classification of steels in EN 10020 (non-alloy, stainless, other alloy; quality and special steels). The complete assignment is given in Table 1 of EN 10027-2. In simplified form:
| Steel group number | Steel class |
|---|---|
| 00, 90 | base steels |
| 01 to 07, 91 to 97 | non-alloy quality steels |
| 08, 09, 98, 99 | alloy quality steels |
| 10 to 19 | non-alloy special steels |
| 20 to 29 | alloy special steels: tool steels |
| 30 to 39 | alloy special steels: miscellaneous steels, e.g. high-speed steels (32, 33) and bearing steels (35) |
| 40 to 49 | alloy special steels: stainless and heat-resisting steels |
| 50 to 89 | alloy special steels: structural, pressure vessel and engineering steels |
Within groups 40 to 49, the number distinguishes for example by nickel content and molybdenum: 43 stands for stainless steels with at least 2.5 % nickel without molybdenum, niobium and titanium, 44 for the same group with molybdenum and 45 for stainless steels with special additions.
Examples of material numbers
The following grades are listed in the Register of European Steels (Stahl-Eisen-Liste) with these numbers and steel names:
| Material number | Steel name | Steel group |
|---|---|---|
| 1.0038 | S235JR | 01, non-alloy quality steel (general structural steel) |
| 1.0503 | C45 | 05, non-alloy quality steel |
| 1.1191 | C45E | 11, non-alloy special steel |
| 1.2379 | X153CrMoV12 | 23, tool steel |
| 1.3505 | 100Cr6 | 35, bearing steel |
| 1.4301 | X5CrNi18-10 | 43, stainless steel |
| 1.4401 | X5CrNiMo17-12-2 | 44, stainless steel with Mo |
| 1.4571 | X6CrNiMoTi17-12-2 | 45, stainless steel with special additions |
| 1.7225 | 42CrMo4 | 72, Cr-Mo steel with < 0.35 % Mo (alloy special steel, structural/engineering steel) |
The example of C45 and C45E shows that similar steel names can belong to different material numbers: C45 is classified as a non-alloy quality steel, C45E as a non-alloy special steel.
Material number and steel name
The steel name according to EN 10027-1 follows two principles. Steels designated by application and mechanical properties carry a code letter and a characteristic value, for example S235JR: S for structural steel, 235 for the minimum yield strength in MPa at the smallest product thickness. Steels designated by chemical composition contain the carbon content and alloying elements, for example 42CrMo4 or X5CrNi18-10.
The steel name is therefore easier to read but longer. The material number is shorter, unique and independent of spelling variants. This often makes it the better key for databases, ERP systems and data exchange. Both designations are equivalent and refer to the same steel grade.
Allocation and the Register of European Steels
Material numbers are allocated on request by the European Steel Registration Office, for standardized and non-standardized steel grades. This task is performed by the Steel Institute VDEh in Düsseldorf. It publishes the Register of European Steels, the Stahl-Eisen-Liste, exclusively in StahlDat SX. The register contains the steel grades in European standards and the grades reported to the steel registration office, including trademarks of European manufacturers.
If you are looking for a steel grades table with all registered grades, see the list of all registered steel grades with material number and steel name on stahldaten.de.
Older or traditional designations are still common in everyday use, such as names from earlier DIN standards or trade names. The register also lists older grades, for example 1.0037 with the name St 37-2. The material number helps to assign a grade unambiguously, but it does not replace checking the applicable standard.
Material numbers in databases and systems
In materials data management, the material number serves as a stable key that links standard data, test data, supplier certificates and simulation results for the same steel grade. The Matplus materials databases and StahlDat SX provide reference data on steel grades, and in Matplus EDA® they can be combined with your own data.
Contact us