Special steels

A common way to classify steels is to refer to the current European standard EN10020, which classifies steels according to 7 main quality classes:

• Alloy steels
• Quality unalloyed steels
• Special unalloyed steels
• Stainless steels
• Other alloy steels
• Quality alloy steels
• Special alloy steels

Steels with alloys whose objective is to achieve peculiar mechanical properties for specific end uses are commonly referred to as "special steels." For example: stainless steels, silicon steels, corten steels, wear steels, manganese steels, construction steels, ect….

Common steels are often referred to as "carbon steels." Carbon steels are the basis for the manufacture of "special steels."

Some examples of special steels

• High wear resistance steels
• High elastic limit steels
• Corten steels
• Steels for high temperatures