Steel Grade Equivalency Table
In the steel industry, one of the most common questions among engineers, technicians and purchasers concerns the correspondence between the different international standards. Each standard — such as EN (Europe), ASTM/ASME (USA) or DIN (Germany) — uses its own designation system, which can create uncertainty when comparing grades or identifying equivalent substitutes for a project or order.
Below are the main approximate equivalence tables between the most widely used standards for steel plates and sheets. These tables are for general guidance and should always be verified against the material’s quality certificate specifications (chemical composition, mechanical properties and delivery condition).
Structural steels according to EN 10025
Structural steels are the most commonly used grades in metal construction, machinery, structures and welded components. They are identified by their minimum tensile strength and by their toughness rating according to impact test temperature (JR, J0, J2).
The following table lists the most common equivalences between EN 10025, ASTM/ASME and DIN standards — three international references widely used for structural steel plates.
Structural steel equivalences
| EN 10025 | Designation | Approx. ASTM/ASME equivalent | DIN / Former DIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| S275JR | Structural steel 275 MPa (JR) | A36 / A283 Gr.D | St44-2 (DIN 17100) |
| S355JR | Structural steel 355 MPa (JR) | A572 Gr.50 / A992 | St52-3 |
| S355J0 | Guaranteed strength at 0 °C | A572 Gr.50 (similar impact properties) | St52-3 with impact test |
| S355J2+N | Charpy test −20 °C, normalised | A572 Gr.50 / A516 (normalised) | St52-3N |
Technical note:
– The suffixes JR, J0, J2 indicate the guaranteed minimum Charpy impact energy (+20 °C, 0 °C and −20 °C respectively).
– The symbol +N refers to the normalised or normalised rolled condition, which improves the material’s uniformity and toughness.
Steels for boilers and pressure vessels (EN 10028)
Steel grades for pressure vessels and boilers are designed to withstand high temperatures and pressures without losing ductility or strength. The EN 10028 standard classifies these steels according to their alloy content and behaviour at service temperature.
The following table shows the most common correspondences between European grades and their approximate equivalents in ASTM/ASME and DIN standards.
Pressure vessel steel equivalences
| EN 10028 | Designation | Approx. ASTM/ASME equivalent | DIN / Former DIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| P265GH | Non-alloyed, high temperature service | A516 Gr.60 / A515 Gr.60 | HII (DIN 17155) |
| P295GH | Higher yield strength | A516 Gr.65 / A515 Gr.65 | 17Mn4 |
| P355GH | High strength, medium pressure | A516 Gr.70 / A515 Gr.70 | 19Mn6 |
| P355NL1 | Fine-grained, impact −40 °C | A537 Cl.1 or normalised A516 | — |
| P355NH | Fine-grained, elevated temperatures | A516 Gr.70 (impact guaranteed) | — |
| P355NL2 | Fine-grained, impact −50 °C | Normalised A516 (severe impact) | — |
Correspondences from ASTM/ASME to EN 10028
| ASTM/ASME | Type | Approx. EN equivalent | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A/SA 285 Gr.C | Pressure vessel steel, low strength | P235GH | Lower stress levels – check certification |
| A/SA 283 Gr.C | Carbon structural steel | S235JR | Not recommended for pressure use |
| A/SA 516 Gr.60 (+N) | PVQ, fine-grained | P265GH / P275 | With +N, closely matches P265GH |
| A/SA 516 Gr.70 (+N) | PVQ, high strength | P355GH | Very common practical equivalence |
Tip:
These equivalences are useful as a reference for design or material substitution, but impact properties, chemical composition and delivery condition must always be checked against the manufacturer’s 3.1 or 3.2 certificate.
Cr-Mo steels for high temperature service (EN 10028-2)
Chromium-molybdenum steels are used in applications requiring creep and oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures, such as heat exchangers, steam boilers and petrochemical reactors.
The following table shows the most common equivalences between EN 10028-2, ASTM/ASME and the former DIN 17155 standards.
Cr-Mo steel equivalences for pressure and high temperature
| EN 10028-2 | Designation | Approx. ASTM/ASME equivalent | DIN / Former DIN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16Mo3 | Mo-alloyed (≈0.3 % Mo) | A204 Gr.B | 15Mo3 |
| 13CrMo4-5 | Cr-Mo (1.25Cr–0.5Mo) | A387 Gr.11 Cl.2 | 13CrMo44 |
| 10CrMo9-10 | Cr-Mo (2.25Cr–1Mo) | A387 Gr.22 Cl.2 | 10CrMo910 |
Reverse correspondences (ASTM/ASME → EN)
| ASTM/ASME | Designation | Approx. EN 10028-2 equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| A/SA 387 Gr.11 Cl.2 | Cr-Mo 1.25–0.5 | 13CrMo4-5 |
| A/SA 387 Gr.12 Cl.2 | Cr-Mo 1–0.5 | — (no exact equivalent) |
| A/SA 387 Gr.22 Cl.2 | Cr-Mo 2.25–1 | 10CrMo9-10 |
Important:
For these steel grades, equivalence also depends on the heat treatment condition (QT, N, AR) and the thickness range. Mechanical properties may vary significantly depending on the delivery condition and service temperature.
Considerations for interpreting steel equivalences
Although these tables provide a clear guide, equivalence between standards does not mean automatic interchangeability. In industrial and pressure applications, differences in chemical analysis, Charpy impact energy, metallurgical condition or design temperature can be critical.
Therefore, it is always recommended to:
- Review the material’s technical documentation and 3.1/3.2 inspection certificate.
- Compare yield strength, tensile strength and elongation according to thickness.
- Check the impact test requirements (temperature and energy).
- Confirm compatibility with the applicable fabrication standard or design code (EN 13445, ASME VIII, etc.).
