1. Home Page
  2. Articles
  3. AFNOR standards for steel materials
Article

AFNOR standards for steel materials

4 min read • March, 2001 • Standards and Classification › Global Material Standards • Last technical review: 2026

Abstract

This comprehensive guide presents the AFNOR (Association Française de Normalisation) standard specifications for steel materials across three major categories: structural and constructional steels, tool steels, and specialty steels including stainless, heat-resisting, and valve steels. The standards cover specifications for various steel products, from carbon and alloy steels to specialized applications in boilers, pressure vessels, and railway components.

Introduction

The AFNOR Standards Review for steel comprises three volumes containing formally approved classifications, guides, practices, specifications, test methods, and terminology. These standards serve as essential reference materials for industry professionals and manufacturers.

Standard Classification System

Documentation Format

Each standard entry includes:

  • Standard number and year
  • Grade designation
  • Chemical composition
  • Mechanical properties (yield point, tensile strength, notch toughness)
  • Additional relevant data (manufacturing method, thickness specifications, heat treatment requirements)

Covers:

Structural and Constructional Steel Standards

Table 1: Complete list of AFNOR standards for structural and constructional steels

Standard Number Description
AFNOR A 33-101 (82) Carbon steels
AFNOR A 35-551 (84) Cementation steels
AFNOR A 35-556 (84) Locking bolts
AFNOR A 35-557 (83) High performance bolts
AFNOR A 35-558 (83) Bolts for eleveted temperatures
AFNOR A 35-561 (92) Free cutting steels
AFNOR A 35-562 (86) Free cutting steels for drawing
AFNOR A 35-564 (83) Steels for cold forming
AFNOR A 35-565 (94) Ball and roller bearing steels
AFNOR A 35-566 (83) Chain steels
AFNOR A 35-567 (84) Cementation steels
AFNOR A 35-571 (84) Spring steels (hot formed)
AFNOR A 36-102 (93) Hot rolled strip
AFNOR A 36-204 (92) Plates
AFNOR A 36-208 (82) Plate for boilers and pressure vessels
AFNOR A 36-210 (83) Plate for boilers and pressure vessels
AFNOR A 36-211 (90) Steel plate for welded gas cylinders
AFNOR A 36-212 (85) Plates for offshore structures
AFNOR A 36-231 (92) Hot-rolled plates for cold forming
AFNOR A 36-232 (92) Cold-rolled plates for cold forming
AFNOR A 36-301 (92) Sheet for cold forming
AFNOR A 36-602 (88) Forging for boilers and pressure vessels
AFNOR A 36-612 (82) General purpose forgings
AFNOR A 37-502 (84) Cold-rolled strip
AFNOR A 35-501 (94) (EN 10025) Non alloy steels
AFNOR A 36-205/206) (92) (EN 10028-2) Flat products for pressure purpose (elevated temperatures)
AFNOR A 36-207 (92) (EN 10028-3) Flat products for pressure purpose (weldable fine grain steels, normalized)
AFNOR A 35-552 (91) (EN 10083-1) Heat-treatable steels
AFNOR A 35-553 (91) (EN 10083-2) Heat-treatable steels
AFNOR A 35 554 (91) (EN 10083-3) Heat-treatable steels
AFNOR A 36-201 (93) (EN 10113-2) Welded fine grained steels
AFNOR EN 10113-3 (93) Weldable fine grained steels
AFNOR EN 10130 (91) Cold rolled flat products for cold forming
AFNOR A 35-502 (93) (EN 10155) Steels with improved atmospheric resistance

Find Material Standards and Specifications

Research referenced material standards, grades, specifications, and requirements across global standards systems.

Explore Material Standards Take a Guided Tour ›

Tool Steel Standards

Table 2: AFNOR standards for tool steels

Standard Number
AFNOR NF A 35-590 (1992)
AFNOR NF A 35-596 (87)

Specialty Steel Standards

Table 3: Standards for stainless, heat-resisting, and valve steels

Standard Number Description
AFNOR A 35-559 (93) Heat-treatable special steels and stainless steels for externally threaded fasteners for use at low temperature
AFNOR A 35-573 (90) Plates, wide strips and strips
AFNOR A 35-574 (90) Semi finished products, bars and wire rod
AFNOR A 35-577 (90) Wire rods for cold forming
AFNOR A 35-578 (82) For application at high temperatures
AFNOR A 35-579 (91) Steels for exhaust valves
AFNOR A 35-583 (90) Wire rods for filler materials
AFNOR A 35-595 (92) Steels for cutlery
AFNOR A 36-209 (90) Plates for boilers and pressure vessels
AFNOR A 36-607 (84) Forgings for boilers and pressure vessels
AFNOR A 54-301 (73) Iron-nickel alloys
AFNOR A 54-401 (73) Ni-Mo and Ni-Mo-Cr alloys

European Harmonization

Several standards align with European Norms (EN), including:

  • AFNOR A 35-501 (EN 10025) for non-alloy steels
  • AFNOR A 36-205/206 (EN 10028-2) for pressure vessel applications
  • AFNOR A 35-552/553/554 (EN 10083) for heat-treatable steels

Explore Global Material Standards

Access material data and references covering ASTM, EN, JIS, GB, GOST, AISI-SAE, and other standards.

Explore Material Standards Take a Guided Tour ›