EN 10268:2006+A1:2013

Overview

EN 10268:2006+A1:2013 is the European Standard that specifies the technical delivery conditions for cold rolled steel flat products with high yield strength, intended specifically for cold forming applications. Issued by CEN, this standard covers uncoated steel flat products with a thickness of 3 mm or less, supplied in various forms such as sheet, wide strip, slit wide strip, narrow strip, or cut lengths. EN 10268 is critical for manufacturers, processors, and users of high strength cold rolled steel within industries that demand reliable performance in forming operations and subsequent fabrication.

Key Topics

• Scope: Applies to cold rolled uncoated flat steel products with high yield strength and thickness ≤ 3 mm for cold forming, delivered in multiple product forms.
• Types of Steel: Includes bake-hardening steels (B), low alloy/micro-alloyed steels (LA), interstitial free steels (Y), and isotropic steels (I), each designed for specific mechanical and forming properties.
• Mechanical Properties: The standard sets requirements for proof strength, tensile strength, elongation, plastic strain ratio, and strain hardening exponent, ensuring cold formability and predictable performance.
• Surface Characteristics: Defines surface quality (A or B), surface finish, and periods of guaranteed freedom from stretcher strains. Products may be supplied with protective oil unless otherwise specified.
• Suitability for Coating and Weldability: Products are suitable for further metallic or organic coatings and standard welding processes, provided relevant process details are specified during ordering.
• Dimensional and Shape Tolerances: References EN 10131 and EN 10140 for tolerances, enhancing precision in component manufacturing.
• Marking and Packaging: Outlines marking and packing practices to ensure traceability and proper handling throughout the supply chain.
• Testing and Inspection: Specifies requirements for mechanical testing (tensile, strain ratio, bake hardening index), sampling, inspection documentation, and the need for agreement on test methods and inspection units.

Applications

EN 10268-compliant steels are extensively used across industries where cold forming operations require high strength materials with consistent quality and processability:

• Automotive Manufacturing: Outer and structural body parts such as hoods, doors, and chassis components, benefiting from improved strength, formability, and dent resistance.
• Appliance Production: Structural and external components that require sharp forming without compromising surface quality or performance.
• Construction: Lightweight, high-strength elements for building frameworks, facades, or reinforcement parts where dimensional accuracy and mechanical reliability are key.
• General Engineering: Machine components, enclosures, and housings that demand excellent cold forming characteristics, weldability, and coating compatibility.
• Metal Packaging: Where material must maintain strength and formability for containers, drums, or specialized packaging solutions.

Related Standards

For full compliance and optimal use of EN 10268 materials, the following related European and international standards should be referenced:

• EN 10020: Definition and classification of grades of steel
• EN 10021: General technical delivery conditions for steel products
• EN 10027-1 / EN 10027-2: Designation systems for steels (names and numerical)
• EN 10130: Cold rolled low carbon steel flat products for cold forming
• EN 10131: Tolerances on dimensions and shape for cold rolled flat products
• EN 10139 / EN 10140: Delivery conditions and tolerances for narrow strip products
• EN 10204: Types of inspection documents for metallic products
• EN ISO 6892-1: Metallic materials - Tensile testing at room temperature
• EN ISO 14284: Sampling and preparation for chemical analysis
• ISO 10113 / ISO 10275: Determination of plastic strain ratio and tensile strain hardening exponent

Adhering to EN 10268 ensures that cold rolled steel flat products meet rigorous criteria for mechanical properties, surface quality, and processability - supporting efficient and quality-focused production across a wide spectrum of industries.