Stahlsorte

Stahlsorte is a German term used to denote a specific steel grade or steel alloy, identifying a steel by its chemical composition, properties and intended application. The designation appears in supplier catalogs, technical datasheets and engineering specifications to distinguish materials with different performance characteristics.

Steel grades are grouped by main alloying elements and intended use, such as carbon steels, alloy steels, stainless steels, tool steels and high‑strength steels. They are defined by national and international standards (for example DIN, EN, ISO, ASTM, JIS) that specify permissible chemical ranges and required mechanical properties. The designation of a Stahlsorte typically encodes major elements and may indicate applicable heat treatment or production method.

Chemical and mechanical properties of a steel grade are driven by carbon content, alloying elements (such as chromium, nickel, molybdenum, vanadium, and others) and by heat treatment. Stainless steels usually contain a minimum chromium content of about 10.5%. Tool steels are enriched with carbide-forming elements to improve hardness and wear resistance, while high‑strength steels are designed for structural or mechanical performance. Heat treatment processes, including annealing, normalizing, quenching and tempering, are used to achieve target properties such as hardness, strength and toughness.

Applications and usage of Stahlsorten depend on service requirements, including strength, hardness, formability, corrosion resistance and toughness. They are chosen for tasks in construction, automotive, machine tooling, petrochemical equipment, aerospace components and consumer products, among others. Quality specifications and certifications are often provided to verify chemical composition and mechanical performance.

Examples of commonly referenced Stahlsorten include 1.4301 (AISI 304) stainless steel, 1.2379 (D2) tool steel, and S355J2+N structural steel, illustrating the range of stainless, tool and structural grades used in industry.