German Steel Grades and Steel Product Grades
Germany is a leading global producer and exporter of steel, with steel products being used in many industries such as construction, automotive and engineering. With so many different grades of steel available, it is important to understand the different types of steel, their grades and the protection they provide.
Steel grades refer to the standards established, which relate to the properties of the steel, such as strength, hardness, elasticity and ductility. Germany has been producing many different grades of steel for many years and production has continuously increased. To simplify the process of understanding and distinguishing the different grades of German steel, there are two classifications of steel grades, the unalloyed structural steel grades and the alloyed structural steel grades.
Unalloyed Structural Steel Grades
Unalloyed Structural Steel Grades is a term used for German steel that contains no alloying elements and therefore is made up of nothing more than iron and a few trace elements. Examples of unalloyed structural steel grades include S235, S275 and S355.
S235 – is a non-alloyed structural steel that is widely used in the construction of buildings, bridges and other structures. It has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and is easy to weld and form.
S275- is another non-alloyed structural steel grade and is an incredibly popular option due to its versatility. The material is strong and reliable when used in structural situations and can be used to create long lasting structures with minimum maintenance.
S355 – is an alloy of steel and carbon and is noted for its excellent strength and toughness. It is also heat treatable and provides a moderate level of corrosion resistance.
Alloyed Structural Steel Grades
Alloyed Structural Steel Grades is a term used for German steel that contains alloying elements, in this case, elements such as carbon and manganese. This is done to improve the properties of the steel, such as hardness and durability. Examples of alloyed structural steel grades include P355NL1 and P460NL2.
P355NL1 – is an alloy of steel and carbon that is used for high temperature applications, such as pressure equipment and boilers. It is also heat treatable and provides an extra layer of protection as it is more resistant to corrosion than other steel grades.
P460NL2 – is designed to withstand the highest levels of temperature and pressure and is used for high pressure vessels and boilers. It is highly resistant to abrasion and corrosion and has high strength properties.
In Germany, many different grades of steel are available to meet the industry standards and requirements. Steel grades are important to understand and distinguish in order to purchase the correct grade of steel and know the protection it will provide against corrosion. Unalloyed Structural Steel Grades and Alloyed Structural Steel Grades are two important grades of steel and are used in many industries in Germany today. In addition to these two grades, there are many other grades of steel available throughout Germany and the rest of the world.
