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Common Name EN / DIN W.Nr BS AISI/SAE Category

Frequently Asked Questions

AISI 4140 is equivalent to EN 42CrMo4 (Werkstoff 1.7225). In the British Standard system it is 709M40, and the common name is EN19. The JIS equivalent is SCM440. It is a chromium-molybdenum alloy steel widely used for high-strength engineering components.
304 stainless (1.4301 / X5CrNi18-10) is an austenitic chromium-nickel steel suitable for most general-purpose applications. 316 stainless (1.4401 / X5CrNiMo17-12-2) adds molybdenum for superior corrosion resistance, especially against chlorides and in marine environments. 316 is more expensive but essential where pitting resistance is needed.
EN8 is the common name for a medium-carbon unalloyed steel. Its BS designation is 080M40, the EN/DIN equivalent is C40, Werkstoff number 1.0511, AISI/SAE 1040, and JIS S40C. It offers good tensile strength (570–700 MPa) and is widely used for general engineering components such as shafts, gears, and studs.
A Werkstoff number (W.Nr) is a numerical designation used in the European standard system to identify steel grades. It follows the format X.XXXX — for example, 1.4301 for 304 stainless steel. The first digit indicates the material group (1 = steel), and the remaining digits identify the specific grade. They provide a universal reference that avoids confusion between similar named grades.
Corten A is equivalent to EN S355J0WP (Werkstoff 1.8945) and ASTM A242. Corten B is equivalent to EN S355J2W (Werkstoff 1.8965) and ASTM A588. Both are weathering steels that form a protective rust patina over time, eliminating the need for painting in many structural and architectural applications.
Use our Steel Grade Equivalents Finder above — simply type the BS grade (e.g., 080M40, 709M40, 817M40) and instantly see the equivalent EN designation, Werkstoff number, and all other international equivalents. The old BS 970 numbering system has been largely replaced by EN standards, but both are still widely referenced in UK engineering specifications.