The construction products described here are components and fasteners made of stainless steels. The construction techniques described here are structural works or parts thereof assembled from these components and/or fasteners.

Following the definition given in EN 10020, stainless steels are steels with at least 10.5% of chromium (Cr) and no more than 1.2% of carbon (C). Starting from this chromium content level, the steels are able to form a complete surface layer of chromium oxide. This oxide layer or passive film constitutes a 'natural' barrier against corrosion, because the film does no longer significantly react with the surrounding atmosphere (passivation). The oxide layer becomes denser and more stable the higher the Cr content or when additional elements, such as molybdenum (Mo) or nitrogen (N), are added to the alloy. This improves the resistance of the steel to atmospheric corrosion and frequently also to acids in general.

The class of stainless steels also includes creep- and heat-resistant steels which comply with the definition given above.

By the way, following the steel classification set out in EN 10020, stainless steels form a class of their own and are not part of the 'special steel' class.

Regulatory framework

EN 10088-1 contains a list – subdivided by group – of the stainless steels registered up to the edition date of the standard.

With Parts 4 and 5 of EN 10088, two harmonised standards specifying technical delivery conditions for stainless steels for construction purposes (intermediate products for steel components) are available.

DIBt grants national technical approvals (abZ) for steel components (construction products) made from these stainless steels (intermediate products), when the final product

• is not covered by a harmonised product standard (e.g. EN 1090-1),
• deviates significantly from the Technical Building Rules (cf. MVV TB, Chapter C 2) or
• when neither Technical Building Rules nor generally recognised technical rules exist for the product.

European Technical Assessments (ETAs) can also be issued for products that are not covered or not fully covered by a harmonised standard.

Furthermore, DIBt grants general construction technique permits (aBG) for applications comprising stainless steel components for which there are no conclusive technical rules regarding design and execution. One example in case are specific designs for cold worked stainless steels.

Please also refer to the relevant provisions of the federal states following the Model Administrative Provisions – Technical Building Rules (MVV TB).

The party executing the welding work on components made of stainless steels is subject to special qualification requirements (e.g. welding certificate in accordance with EN 1090-1, cf. MVV TB, Chapter A1).