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1) BS 970 has been generally superseded by European based standards Notes on European Standards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 A low carbon, free cutting, mild steel suitable for machining using automatic
230M 07 and CNC machines. Available as rolled or normalised in round, flat or hexagon
(EN1A) form
A mild steel used for general purposes. Suitable for lightly stressed fasteners
BS 970
,shafts etc. Can be easily machined and welded. Available hot rolled,
070M 20
normalised, cold drawn or turned. Supplied in Black round or square , bright
(EN3A)
round square, flat and hexagon.
BS 970
A medium strength steel. Used to make, shafts, racks, pinions, studs, bolts,
080M 30
nuts, rollers, etc. Supplied as square bar, or round bar or flat.
(EN5/EN6)
BS 970
A medium strength steel. Suitable for stressed pins, shafts studs, keys etc.
080M 40
Available as rolled or normalised. Supplied as square bar, or round bar or flat.
(EN8)
BS 970 A hard wearing medium carbon steel which can be hardened. Available as hot
070M 55 rolled, normalised, Cold drawn or turned. Sections available black round, black
(EN9) square, bright round and black flat.
BS 970 A case hardening mild steel suitable for general engineering applications.
080M 15 When case hardened results in a hard surface with a tough core. Used for
(EN32) making gears cams and rollers etc. Supplied as black round bar and sections
Alloy Steel
BS 970 A manganese molydenum steel with good ductily and mechanical strength.
605M 36 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.
A 1% typical chromium molybdenum steel with higher molybdenum. Can be
BS 970 induction hardened. Used for gears, and high strength shafts etc. Suitable for
709M 40 higher strength applications when resistance to shock is required. Available
(EN19) annealed. Supplied as black round or square bar and bright round or square,
and hexagons.
A nickel chromium molybdenum steel with high strength and toughness. Used
BS 970
for gears axles and high strength studs. Supplied as rolled, annealed and
817M 40
hardened and tempered. Supplied as black round or square bar and bright
(EN24)
round or square, and hexagons
A high quality nickel chromium case hardening steel. Can be hardened to
BS 970
provide hard surface with a strong tough core. Used for high duty gears and
655M 13
shafts. Supplied in as-rolled condition in black square and round bar and
(EN36)
bright round.
BS 970 A 3% chromium molybdenum nitriding steel. Provide good tough core
722M 24 strength with a hard nitrided surface for wear resistance. Supplied in as-rolled,
(EN40B) annealed and hardened and tempered condition in black square and round bar.
Stainless Steel
BS970 M artensitic (M agnetic), can be hardened and tempered to give improved
416S21 tensile strength. FM ** grade. Typical applications include cutlery, surgical
(EN56) instruments, fasteners, valves, spindles and shafts.
BS 970 M artensitic (M agnetic). Supplied heat treated with a high tensile strength.
431S29 Typical applications include cutlery, surgical instruments, fasteners, valves,
(EN57) 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)
Austenitic (Non-M agnetic)Cannot be heat treated but work hardens. Readily
formed and welded,used mainly in domestic, dairy and decorative appliances
BS 970
general purpose grade for corrosion resistant applications. This grade is the
Grade
most widely used of all stainless steels. Its chemical composition,provide the
304S15
best all-round performance S.S. at relatively low cost. It has excellent low
(EN58-)
temperature properties. Lower Carbon grades (S15 and less) have improved
weldability.
Austenitic (Non-M agnetic)Cannot be heat treated but work hardens. It offers
BS 970
high resistance to corrosion. Generally machined components and pipe
Grade
fittings. This grade is almost as popular as the 304 grade the increased M o
316S16
content makes the steel more suitable for resisting pitting and crevice then
(EN58J)
304 Grade. Lower Carbon grades (S15 and less) have improved weldability.
 BS 970
Grade Austenitic (Non-M agnetic)Cannot be heat treated but work hardens.
321S12 Titanium stabilized, which offers improved welding properties.
(EN58B-C)
BS 970 Austenitic (Non-M agnetic). Pocesses good resistance to scaling at high
Grade temperatures. For continuous high temperature service in the range 850 -
310S31 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..

Yield
BS Spec Composition % Tensile Elongation
Type Of Steel Condition Stress x
BS 970 C-M n-Ni-Cr-M o Stress M Pa %
106 Pa
Low Carbon Steel 230M 07 0,15C% 1,1%M n Hot rolled 215 360 21
HR -> CD
Low Carbon Steel 230M 07 0,15C% 1,1%M n 340 480 6
(thin)
Low Carbon Steel 070M 20 0,2C% 0,7%M n Normalised 215 430 21
HR->CD
Low Carbon Steel 070M 20 0,2C% 0,7%M n 440 560 10
(thin)
Constructural
080M 40 0,4%C 0,8%M n Normalised 280 550 16
Steel
Constructural HR -> CD
080M 40 0,4%C 0,8%M n 530 660 7
Steel (thin)
Heat
Low M anganese 150M 28 0,28%C 1,5%M n 355 587 20
Treat(P)
Heat
Nickel M anganese 503M 40 0,4%C -0,9%M n 1,0%Cr 525 700 min 17
Treat(R)
M anganese
608M 38 0,38%C 1,5%M n 0,5%M o Heat Treat 1000 1130 19
M olybdenum
0,31%C 0,60%M n 3,0%Ni Heat
Nickel Chromium 633M 31 755 927 23
1,0%Cr Treat(U)
Nickel- 0,4%C 0,55%M n 1,2%Cr Heat Treat
817M 40 940 1075 11
Chrom-M o 0,3%M o (W)
Nickel- 0,3%C 0,55%M n 4,25%Ni Hard'n
835M 30 1470 1700 14
Chrom-M o 1,25%Cr 0,3%M o +Temp
0,38%C 1,4%M n 0,75%Ni Heat Treat
M ang-Ni-Chr-M o 945M 38 850 1040 2
0,5%Cr 0,20%M o (V)
0,08%C 1,0%M n 13%Cr
Steel Ferritic 403S17 Softened 280 420 20
0,5%Ni
Stainless Heat Treat
420S45 0,3%C 0,5%M n 13,0%Cr 525 700 15
M artensitic (R)
18/8 Stainless 0,12%C 0,8%M n 8,5%Ni
302S25 Softened 278 618 50
Austenitic 18,0%Cr
18/8 Stainless 0,12%C 0,8%M N 8,5%Ni
302S25 Cold work 803 896 30
Austenitic 18,0%Cr
18/8 St. (No Weld 0,05%C 0,8%M n 8,5%Ni
321S20 Softened 278 649 45
Decay) 18,0%Cr 1,6Ti
18/8 St. (No Weld 0,05C 0,8%M n 8,5%Ni
321S20 Cold Worked 402 803 30
Decay) 18,0%Cr 1,6Ti

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)

Tensile Strength (M pa)

Condition Code Letter
M in M ax
P 550 700
Q 620 770
R 700 850
S 770 930
T 850 1000
U 930 1080
V 1000 1150
W 1080 1240
X 1150 1300
Y 1240 1400
Z 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 EN No BS 970 Name Note. *Steel No
Low Carbon 39A 659M 15 4.0% Ni/Cr
1A 230M 07 1.0715
Free Cutting C 34 665M 17
Low Carbon 35A 665A22 1.5% Ni/M o
1B 240M 07 -
Free Cutting C
35 665M 23 1.5% Ni/M o
3A 070M 20 '20' C 1.0402
35B 665A24 1.5% Ni/M o
5 080M 30 '30' C 1.1178/1.1179
361 805M 17 0.5% Ni/Cr/M o
5A 080A27 '30' C
362 805M 20 0.5% Ni/Cr/M o
5B 080A30 '30' C 1.0528
363 805M 25 0.5% Ni/Cr/M o
8 080M 40 '40'C 1.0503/1.0511
353 815M 27 1.5% Ni/Cr/M o
8A 080A35 '35'C 1.75%
354 820M 27
8B 080A37 '37'C Ni/Cr/M o
8C 080A40 '40'C 1.1186 355 822M 17 2.0% Ni/Cr/M o
8D 080A42 '42'C 36C 832M 13 3.0% Ni/Cr/M o 1.6657
9 070M 55 '50'C 1.1209/1.0535 351 635M 15 0.75% Ni/Cr
43A 080A50 '50'C 1,1206 352 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 1.1221 34 665M 17 1.75% Ni/M o
43E 080A67 '67'C 35 665M 23 1.75% Ni/M o
Low Carbon 361 805M 17 0.5% Ni/Cr/M o
1A 220M 07
FC** 362 805M 20 0.5% Ni/Cr/M o 1.6522'3
Low Carbon 363 805M 25 0.5% Ni/Cr/M o
1B 240M 07
FC** 353 815M 17 1.5% Ni/Cr/M o
8M 212M 36 '36' C FC** 1.0726 1.75%
354 820M 17
15AM 216M 36 '36' C' FC** Ni/Cr/M o
8BM 212A37 '37' C FC** 355 822M 17 2.0% Ni/Cr/M o
8DM 212M 44 '42' C FC** ?1.0727 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 Silico-
18A 530A30 1% Cr 1.8401 45 250A53 M anganese 1.0904
'53'Carbon
18B 530A32 1% Cr 1.7033
45A 250A58 '58'Carbon
18C 530A36 1% Cr
45A 250A61 '61'Carbon
18D 530A40 1% Cr 1.7035
47 735A50 1.0% Cr 1.8159
31 534A99 1.5% Cr
48 527A60 0.75% Cr/Va
31 535A99 1.5% Cr
Stainless Steels
1.5% M n/M o
16D 605M 30 (Water CrNi 18/9 C
58A 302S25 1.4828
Hardening) 0,12 ..Aust
16 605M 36 1.0% M n/M o 1.7006 CrNi 18/9 S
58M 303S41 bearing
16B 605A32 1.0% M n/M o
FM **..Aust
16C 605A37 1.0% M n/M o 1.5432
CrNi 18/19 C
58E 304S15 1.4301
0,06 ..Aust
 1.5% CrNiM o
16M 605A32
M n/M o(FC**) 58H 315S16 17/10/1,5 C 0,07
111 640M 40 1.25% Ni/Cr ..Aust

111A 640M 40 1.25% Ni/Cr CrNiM o

58J 316S16 17/11/2,5 C 0,07 1.4401
23 653M 31 3.0% Ni/Cr
..Aust
19A 708M 40 1.0% Cr/M o 1.7223
CrNiM o
19B 708A37 1.0% Cr/M o 1.7220 58J 316S17 17/12/2,5 +Ti C 1.4401
19C 708A42 1.0% Cr/M o 0,08 ..Aust
1.0% Cr/M o CrNi 18/9 +Ti C
19 709M 40 1.7225 58B/58C 321S12 1.4541
(Higher M o) 0,08 ..Aust
3.0% Cr/M o CrNi 18/9 +Ti C
40B 722M 24 1.7361 58B/58C 321S20
(Nitriding) 0,12 ..Aust
13 785M 19 1.5% M n/Ni/M o CrNi 18/9 +Ti
58M 325S21 1.4305
1.0% Ni/Cr/M o +S FM ** ..Aust
110 816M 40 1.6582
(Low M o) NiCrW
54 331S40
24 817M 40 1.0% Ni/Cr/M o 1.6582/1.6565 14/14/2,5..Valve
2.5% Ni/Cr/M o NiCrW
25 826M 31 54A 331S42 14/14/2,5 + M o
(M edium C)
..Valve
2.5% Ni/Cr/M o
26 826M 40 1,6746 Cr/Ni 18/9/Nb/C
(High C) 58F/58G 347S17 1.4550
0,08 ..Aus
27 830M 31 3.0% Ni/Cr/M o
52 401S45 Si/Cr 3/8 ..Valve
30B 835M 30 4.0% Ni/Cr/M o 1.6747
13CrC0,12
3.25% 56A 410S21 1.4006
M art
40C 897M 39 Ni/Cr/M o/Va
(Nitriding) 13Cr C 0,12 S
56AM 416S21 1.4005
FM ** ..M art
1.5% Cr/Al/M o
41A 905M 31 (Nitriding) 1.8509 13Cr C 0,12 Se
56AM 416S41
(M edium C) FM ** ..M art
1.5% Cr/Al/M o 13Cr C 0,17 S
56BM 416S29
41B 905M 39 (Nitriding)(High FM ** ..M art
C) 13Cr C 0,24 S
1.5% M n/Ni/Cr 56C 416S37 bearing FM **
100 945M 38 ..M art
/Al/M o
1.5% M n/Ni/Cr 13Cr C
100C 945A40 1.6546 56B 420S29 1.4024
/Al/M o 0,17..M art
351 635M 15 0.75% Ni/Cr 13Cr C 0,24
56C 420S37 1.4021
..M art
352 637M 14 1.0% Ni/Cr
13Cr C
36A 655M 13 3.25% Ni/Cr 1.5752 56D 420S45 1.4028
0,32..M art
36A 655M 13 3.25% Ni/Cr 1.5752
 17Cr C
60 430S15 1.4016
0,10....Fer
17Cr 2,5NI C
57 431S29 1.4057
0,10....M art
CrNiSi
59 443S65
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. British Stainless Steel Association ..Properties /Relevant Standards for Stainless Steels
2. Plymouth College ..Notes On Steels
3. Grade Alternatives... M ikra metal Stainless Steel Grades
4. M aterial Cross Reference List..Coromant- Sandvik Comprehensive list of steels
5. Australian Stainless Steel Development Agency ..Contains physical and mechanical properties
6. 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