British Standard Steel Numbering System
The British Standard Steel Numbering System (BSSNS) is an issue developed by the British Standards Institution to provide a standardized approach to identifying and naming distinct steel grades. The system has been developed over the years and is based on several original standards and specifications. The purpose of the system is to ensure that all steel components produced within the United Kingdom are of adequate quality, reliable and consistent in their standards.
British Standard Steel Grade Numbers (BSSG) are assigned to each grade or alloy of steel and are the official designations used by UK professionals to identify the different grades. The numbers are kept short and simple, but are unique to each component. BSSG was first introduced in 1960 and has been used extensively in the English-speaking world and is now frequently used by the engineering and manufacturing industry across the United Kingdom.
The BSSG is divided into three categories which are: Structural Steels and Sheet Materials, Non-Structural Steels and Alloy Steels. The Structural Steels consist of applications that include Framework, Reinforcement and Support. These types of steels possess a high level of strength and are suitable for more demanding environments. Sheet Materials are materials such as Hard Rolled Sheet and Plate. Non-Structural Steels consist of low grade metals and alloys, such as Aluminium and Copper. Alloy steels are designed for high strength applications and range from mild to stainless steel alloys.
Each steel grade is assigned a unique four-digit code which highlights the important characteristics of that particular type of steel. The first two digits of the code represent the alloy, while the last two digits represent the nominal product strength. For example, BS 4360 is a structural steel grade. The first 2 digits, 43, represent the alloy and the last 2 digits, 60, indicate the nominal product strength. This is used as a reference when selecting steel and other materials for specific applications.
The British Standard Steel Numbering System also includes a range of specifications which are used as reference documents when purchasing steel. It contains the chemical composition of all grades, properties and values, dimensions, tolerances and requirements. These documents provide engineers and designers with a complete list of the specification dimensions, tolerances and requirements needed when purchasing steel grade components.
The British Standard Steel Numbering System has been developed over the years and is frequently used by the engineering and manufacturing industry across the United Kingdom. It provides users with a standardized approach to identifying and naming different steel grades. The system also includes a range of specifications which provide complete information about the specification dimensions, tolerances and requirements, of the component grade being purchased. Therefore, the system provides a reliable and consistent way to identify different steel grades for a variety of applications.
