BS 970 steels..

Basic Notes on steels..... Sample specifications...... BS 970 numbering system explained...... M odern
equivalents to BS 970 1955;EN numbers......
Important Notes:
1) BS 970 has been generally superseded by European based standards Notes on European Standards
2) All information on this page has been interpreted from the relevent Standard, Books eg Newnes M ech. Eng
Pocket Book, Kempe's, Other Web Sites, and Leaflets. This information is of a general nature for initial
guidance. Selection of materials for use must be by communication with the suppliers and by reference to the
appropriate codes - The best standards to use are the European EN based standards Basic S teel S election Based on BS 970

Typical selection of steels and useful notes

STEEL

Notes

Carbon Steel
BS 970
230M 07
(EN1A)

A low carbon, free cutting, mild steel suitable for machining using automatic
and CNC machines. Available as rolled or normalised in round, flat or hexagon
form

BS 970
070M 20
(EN3A)

A mild steel used for general purposes. Suitable for lightly stressed fasteners
,shafts etc. Can be easily machined and welded. Available hot rolled,
normalised, cold drawn or turned. Supplied in Black round or square , bright
round square, flat and hexagon.

BS 970
080M 30
(EN5/EN6)

A medium strength steel. Used to make, shafts, racks, pinions, studs, bolts,
nuts, rollers, etc. Supplied as square bar, or round bar or flat.

BS 970
080M 40
(EN8)

A medium strength steel. Suitable for stressed pins, shafts studs, keys etc.
Available as rolled or normalised. Supplied as square bar, or round bar or flat.

BS 970
070M 55
(EN9)

A hard wearing medium carbon steel which can be hardened. Available as hot
rolled, normalised, Cold drawn or turned. Sections available black round, black
square, bright round and black flat.

BS 970
080M 15
(EN32)

A case hardening mild steel suitable for general engineering applications.

When case hardened results in a hard surface with a tough core. Used for
making gears cams and rollers etc. Supplied as black round bar and sections

Alloy Steel
BS 970
605M 36

A manganese molydenum steel with good ductily and mechanical strength.

Available in heat treated condition e.g (R,S,T).Supplied as black round or

(EN16)

square bar and bright round or square, and hexagons.

BS 970
709M 40
(EN19)

A 1% typical chromium molybdenum steel with higher molybdenum. Can be

induction hardened. Used for gears, and high strength shafts etc. Suitable for
higher strength applications when resistance to shock is required. Available
annealed. Supplied as black round or square bar and bright round or square,
and hexagons.

BS 970
817M 40
(EN24)

A nickel chromium molybdenum steel with high strength and toughness. Used
for gears axles and high strength studs. Supplied as rolled, annealed and
hardened and tempered. Supplied as black round or square bar and bright
round or square, and hexagons

BS 970
655M 13
(EN36)

A high quality nickel chromium case hardening steel. Can be hardened to

provide hard surface with a strong tough core. Used for high duty gears and
shafts. Supplied in as-rolled condition in black square and round bar and
bright round.

BS 970
722M 24
(EN40B)

A 3% chromium molybdenum nitriding steel. Provide good tough core

strength with a hard nitrided surface for wear resistance. Supplied in as-rolled,
annealed and hardened and tempered condition in black square and round bar.

Stainless Steel
BS970
416S21
(EN56)

M artensitic (M agnetic), can be hardened and tempered to give improved

tensile strength. FM ** grade. Typical applications include cutlery, surgical
instruments, fasteners, valves, spindles and shafts.

BS 970
431S29
(EN57)

M artensitic (M agnetic). Supplied heat treated with a high tensile strength.

Typical applications include cutlery, surgical instruments, fasteners, valves,
spindles and shafts.

BS 970
Ferritic. Low Strength but good ductility. Used food processing and catering
430S15
equipment and automotive trim,car exhaust systems etc.
typ (EN60)

BS 970
Grade
304S15
(EN58-)

Austenitic (Non-M agnetic)Cannot be heat treated but work hardens. Readily

formed and welded,used mainly in domestic, dairy and decorative appliances
general purpose grade for corrosion resistant applications. This grade is the
most widely used of all stainless steels. Its chemical composition,provide the
best all-round performance S.S. at relatively low cost. It has excellent low
temperature properties. Lower Carbon grades (S15 and less) have improved
weldability.

BS 970
Grade
316S16
(EN58J)

Austenitic (Non-M agnetic)Cannot be heat treated but work hardens. It offers

high resistance to corrosion. Generally machined components and pipe
fittings. This grade is almost as popular as the 304 grade the increased M o
content makes the steel more suitable for resisting pitting and crevice then
304 Grade. Lower Carbon grades (S15 and less) have improved weldability.

BS 970
Austenitic (Non-M agnetic)Cannot be heat treated but work hardens.
Grade
Titanium stabilized, which offers improved welding properties.
321S12
(EN58B-C)
BS 970
Grade
310S31

Austenitic (Non-M agnetic). Pocesses good resistance to scaling at high

temperatures. For continuous high temperature service in the range 850 1000oC.

S ample S teels S pecifications

Typical steels with general specifications notes
Important Note:
The values below are not comprehensive and must be used with extreme care.
The strength values e.g. the proof stress and yield stress, reduce as the section increases. In the tables below
the relevant sections are often thin and so the strength values are maximum values. Please refer to the relevant
standards for important work..

Type Of Steel

BS Spec Composition %
BS 970 C-M n-Ni-Cr-M o

Condition

Yield
Stress x
106 Pa

Tensile
Elongation
Stress M Pa %

Low Carbon Steel 230M 07 0,15C% 1,1%M n

Hot rolled

215

360

21

Low Carbon Steel 230M 07 0,15C% 1,1%M n

HR -> CD
(thin)

340

480

Low Carbon Steel 070M 20 0,2C% 0,7%M n

Normalised

215

430

21

Low Carbon Steel 070M 20 0,2C% 0,7%M n

HR->CD
(thin)

440

560

10

Constructural
Steel

080M 40 0,4%C 0,8%M n

Normalised

280

550

16

Constructural
Steel

080M 40 0,4%C 0,8%M n

HR -> CD
(thin)

530

660

Low M anganese

150M 28 0,28%C 1,5%M n

Heat
Treat(P)

355

587

20

Heat
Treat(R)

525

700 min

17

1000

1130

19

755

927

23

Nickel M anganese 503M 40 0,4%C -0,9%M n 1,0%Cr

M anganese
M olybdenum

608M 38 0,38%C 1,5%M n 0,5%M o Heat Treat

Nickel Chromium 633M 31

0,31%C 0,60%M n 3,0%Ni Heat

1,0%Cr
Treat(U)

NickelChrom-M o

817M 40

0,4%C 0,55%M n 1,2%Cr Heat Treat

0,3%M o
(W)

940

1075

11

NickelChrom-M o

835M 30

0,3%C 0,55%M n 4,25%Ni Hard'n

1,25%Cr 0,3%M o
+Temp

1470

1700

14

M ang-Ni-Chr-M o 945M 38

0,38%C 1,4%M n 0,75%Ni Heat Treat

0,5%Cr 0,20%M o
(V)

850

1040

Steel Ferritic

403S17

0,08%C 1,0%M n 13%Cr

0,5%Ni

Softened

280

420

20

Stainless
M artensitic

420S45 0,3%C 0,5%M n 13,0%Cr

Heat Treat
(R)

525

700

15

18/8 Stainless
Austenitic

302S25

0,12%C 0,8%M n 8,5%Ni

Softened
18,0%Cr

278

618

50

18/8 Stainless
Austenitic

302S25

0,12%C 0,8%M N 8,5%Ni

Cold work
18,0%Cr

803

896

30

278

649

45

Cold Worked 402

803

30

0,05%C 0,8%M n 8,5%Ni

18/8 St. (No Weld
Softened
321S20
18,0%Cr 1,6Ti
Decay)
0,05C 0,8%M n 8,5%Ni
18/8 St. (No Weld
321S20
18,0%Cr 1,6Ti
Decay)

BS 970 Numbering system explained

The BS970 code number is constructed as follows;
a) The first three symbols are a number code indicating the type of steel:
000 to 199 Carbon and carbon-manganese steels. The number represents the manganese content x 100
200 to 240 Free cutting steels. The second and third number indicate the sulphur content x 100
250 Silicon M anganese valve steels
300 to 499 Stainless and heat resisting steels
500 to 999 Alloy Steels

b) The fourth symbol is a letter code .

A The steel is supplied to a chemical compostion determine by analysis of the batch sample.
H The steel is supplied to a hardenability specification
M The steel is supplied to a M echanical Property specification.

S The steel is a stainless steel

c) The fifth and sixth symbol is a number is the actual mean carbon content x 100

In addition to the above coding a condition coding may be applied. indicating the tensile strength range after
heat treatment. This is used in conjunction with a limiting section designation. (See table below)
Condition Code Letter

Tensile Strength (M pa)

M in

M ax

550

700

620

770

700

850

770

930

850

1000

930

1080

1000

1150

1080

1240

1150

1300

1240

1400

1540

Table of BS 970: 1955 EN equivalents

* Steel No Relate to European Numbering system BS EN 10027-2 - I will add numbers as I locate them
BS970 1955 EN steel Equivalent

BS970 1955 EN steel Equivalent

EN No BS 970 Name Note.

* Steel No

1A

230M 07

Low Carbon
Free Cutting C

1.0715

1B

240M 07

Low Carbon
Free Cutting C

3A

070M 20

'20' C

1.0402

080M 30

'30' C

1.1178/1.1179

5A

080A27

'30' C

5B

080A30

'30' C

1.0528

080M 40

'40'C

1.0503/1.0511

EN No

BS 970 Name Note.

39A

659M 15

34

665M 17

35A

665A22

1.5% Ni/M o

35

665M 23

1.5% Ni/M o

35B

665A24

1.5% Ni/M o

361

805M 17

0.5% Ni/Cr/M o

362

805M 20

0.5% Ni/Cr/M o

363

805M 25

0.5% Ni/Cr/M o

353

815M 27

1.5% Ni/Cr/M o

4.0% Ni/Cr

*Steel No

354

820M 27

1.75%
Ni/Cr/M o

355

822M 17

2.0% Ni/Cr/M o

'42'C

36C

832M 13

3.0% Ni/Cr/M o 1.6657

070M 55

'50'C

635M 15

0.75% Ni/Cr

43A

080A50

'50'C

1.1209/1.0535 351
352
1,1206

637M 17

1% Ni/Cr

43B

080A47

'47'C

36A

655M 13

3.25% Ni/Cr

43C

080A52

'52'C

39A

659M 15

4.0% Ni/Cr

43D

080A62

'62'C

34

665M 17

1.75% Ni/M o

43E

080A67

'67'C

35

665M 23

1.75% Ni/M o

1A

220M 07

Low Carbon
FC**

361

805M 17

0.5% Ni/Cr/M o

362

805M 20

0.5% Ni/Cr/M o 1.6522'3

1B

240M 07

Low Carbon
FC**

363

805M 25

0.5% Ni/Cr/M o

353

815M 17

1.5% Ni/Cr/M o

8M

212M 36

'36' C FC**

15AM 216M 36

'36' C' FC**

354

820M 17

1.75%
Ni/Cr/M o

8BM

212A37

'37' C FC**

355

822M 17

2.0% Ni/Cr/M o

8DM 212M 44

'42' C FC**

36C

832M 13

3.5% Ni/Cr/M o 1.6657

8M

212M 44

'44' C FC**

39B

835M 15

4.0% Ni/Cr/M o

12

503M 40

1% Ni

43

080A22

'52'Carbon

12B

503A37

1% Ni

43E

080A67

'67'Carbon

12C

503A42

1% Ni

42

070A72

'52'Carbon

11

526M 60

1% Cr

44

060A96

'96'Carbon

1.1274

18

530M 40

1% Cr

1.7035

18A

530A30

1% Cr

1.8401

45

250A53

1.0904

18B

530A32

1% Cr

1.7033

SilicoM anganese
'53'Carbon

18C

530A36

1% Cr

45A

250A58

'58'Carbon

18D

530A40

1% Cr

45A

250A61

'61'Carbon

31

534A99

1.5% Cr

47

735A50

1.0% Cr

31

535A99

1.5% Cr

48

527A60

0.75% Cr/Va

16D

605M 30

1.5% M n/M o
(Water
Hardening)

16

605M 36

1.0% M n/M o

16B

605A32

1.0% M n/M o

16C

605A37

1.0% M n/M o

8A

080A35

'35'C

8B

080A37

'37'C

8C

080A40

'40'C

8D

080A42

1.1186

1.1221

1.0726

?1.0727

1.7035

1.8159

Stainless Steels
302S25

CrNi 18/9 C
0,12 ..Aust

58M

303S41

CrNi 18/9 S
bearing
FM **..Aust

58E

304S15

CrNi 18/19 C
0,06 ..Aust

58A
1.7006
1.5432

1.4828

1.4301

315S16

CrNiM o
17/10/1,5 C 0,07
..Aust

316S16

CrNiM o
17/11/2,5 C 0,07 1.4401
..Aust

316S17

CrNiM o
17/12/2,5 +Ti C 1.4401
0,08 ..Aust

1.7225

58B/58C 321S12

CrNi 18/9 +Ti C

1.4541
0,08 ..Aust

1.7361

58B/58C 321S20

CrNi 18/9 +Ti C

0,12 ..Aust

58M

325S21

CrNi 18/9 +Ti

1.4305
+S FM ** ..Aust

54

331S40

NiCrW
14/14/2,5..Valve

331S42

NiCrW
14/14/2,5 + M o
..Valve

16M

605A32

1.5%
M n/M o(FC**)

111

640M 40

1.25% Ni/Cr

111A 640M 40

1.25% Ni/Cr

23

653M 31

3.0% Ni/Cr

19A

708M 40

1.0% Cr/M o

1.7223

19B

708A37

1.0% Cr/M o

1.7220

58J

19C

708A42

1.0% Cr/M o

19

709M 40

1.0% Cr/M o
(Higher M o)

40B

722M 24

3.0% Cr/M o
(Nitriding)

13

785M 19

1.5% M n/Ni/M o

110

816M 40

1.0% Ni/Cr/M o
1.6582
(Low M o)

58H

58J

24

817M 40

1.0% Ni/Cr/M o 1.6582/1.6565

25

826M 31

2.5% Ni/Cr/M o
(M edium C)

54A

26

826M 40

2.5% Ni/Cr/M o
1,6746
(High C)

58F/58G 347S17

Cr/Ni 18/9/Nb/C
1.4550
0,08 ..Aus

52

401S45

Si/Cr 3/8 ..Valve

56A

410S21

13CrC0,12
M art

1.4006

56AM

416S21

13Cr C 0,12 S
FM ** ..M art

1.4005

56AM

416S41

13Cr C 0,12 Se
FM ** ..M art

416S29

13Cr C 0,17 S
FM ** ..M art

27

830M 31

3.0% Ni/Cr/M o

30B

835M 30

4.0% Ni/Cr/M o 1.6747

897M 39

3.25%
Ni/Cr/M o/Va
(Nitriding)

40C

905M 31

1.5% Cr/Al/M o
(Nitriding)
1.8509
(M edium C)

905M 39

1.5% Cr/Al/M o
(Nitriding)(High
C)

56BM

1.5% M n/Ni/Cr
/Al/M o

56C

416S37

13Cr C 0,24 S
bearing FM **
..M art

100C 945A40

1.5% M n/Ni/Cr
1.6546
/Al/M o

56B

420S29

13Cr C
0,17..M art

1.4024

351

635M 15

0.75% Ni/Cr

56C

420S37

1.4021

352

637M 14

1.0% Ni/Cr

13Cr C 0,24
..M art

36A

655M 13

3.25% Ni/Cr

1.5752

56D

420S45

1.4028

36A

655M 13

3.25% Ni/Cr

1.5752

13Cr C
0,32..M art

41A

41B

100

945M 38

60

430S15

17Cr C
0,10....Fer

1.4016

57

431S29

17Cr 2,5NI C
0,10....M art

1.4057

59

443S65

CrNiSi
20,1.5,2..Valve

Stainless Steels ...Aus = Austenitic, M art = M artensitic, Fe = Ferritic. FC** = Free Cutting..
FM ** = Free machining

Relevant S teel Links

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

British Stainless Steel Association ..Properties /Relevant Standards for Stainless Steels
Plymouth College ..Notes On Steels
Grade Alternatives... M ikra metal Stainless Steel Grades
M aterial Cross Reference List..Coromant- Sandvik Comprehensive list of steels
Australian Stainless Steel Development Agency ..Contains physical and mechanical properties
Key-To-Steel ..An excellent reference site for steel classifications and properties.- registration required
for full access
7. Casti M etals Black Book ..Download Document. A comprehensive reference text on european metals
including Ref to latest Standards