EN 10216 series explained

EN 10216 is the European family for seamless steel tubes for pressure purposes. It is not one material grade and it is not one universal pressure-pipe specification. The series is split into parts according to the steel family and the temperature/property regime required.

If the tube is welded rather than seamless, the corresponding pressure-tube family is EN 10217.

The EN 10216 family

As of September 2026, the main EN 10216 parts are:

The year shown is the current edition listed by NEN at the time of verification; always check the national standards body/project specification for amendments and adopted versions.

Part 1 — non-alloy, room-temperature properties

EN 10216-1 covers seamless circular non-alloy quality-steel tubes with specified room-temperature properties. It includes two quality/test categories commonly seen as TR1 and TR2.

A buyer should not describe this merely as “EN 10216.” The part number and grade are essential.

Part 2 — elevated-temperature service

EN 10216-2 is the high-temperature workhorse of the family. It covers seamless non-alloy and alloy tubes with specified elevated-temperature properties and includes grades widely used in boiler, power and process applications.

The 2024 edition is newer than several other parts of the family, so old project specifications citing an earlier edition deserve an edition check rather than automatic updating.

Part 3 — alloy fine-grain steels

EN 10216-3 covers seamless tubes made from weldable alloy fine-grain steel. The fine-grain family is distinct from simply ordering a stronger Part 1 tube.

Selection must consider the complete grade, delivery condition, toughness and project requirements.

Part 4 — low-temperature properties

EN 10216-4 covers seamless non-alloy and alloy steel tubes with specified low-temperature properties. It is therefore a relevant EN family when comparing with ASTM low-temperature pressure-pipe requirements such as A333 — but the standards and grades are not automatically equivalent.

See ASTM A333 Grade 6.

Part 5 — stainless steel

EN 10216-5 covers seamless circular tubes in austenitic and austenitic-ferritic stainless steels for pressure and corrosion-resisting purposes at room, low or elevated temperatures.

This is where material numbers such as common austenitic and duplex grades can appear in a seamless pressure-tube product standard. The same alloy designation in sheet, bar or a welded tube standard does not mean the product requirements are identical.

EN 10216 does not simply mean “seamless pipe”

The correct statement is:

EN 10216 is a family of seamless tubes for pressure purposes.

A seamless tube for mechanical machining may instead fall under EN 10297. A seamless structural hollow section may fall under EN 10210. Product application comes first.

For the broader map, see Which EN tube standard applies?.

EN 10216 vs EN 10217

Both families are for pressure purposes. The top-level distinction is manufacturing route:

• EN 10216 — seamless;
• EN 10217 — welded.

But the correct comparison also needs the matching part/material family. See EN 10216 vs EN 10217.

Test categories: do not compare the label alone

Several EN pressure-tube parts use two test categories/qualities, but the exact terminology and required tests are part-specific. Do not assume “TC2” or “TR2” has identical content across every part without reading the relevant standard.

This is particularly important for EN 10216-5, where procurement discussions often focus on TC1 vs TC2 for stainless tubes.

What should an RFQ state?

At minimum:

1. Full standard and part, e.g. EN 10216-2.
2. Edition if contractually controlled.
3. Complete grade/material number.
4. Test category where applicable.
5. OD and wall thickness.
6. Length and tolerances.
7. Heat-treatment/delivery condition where required.
8. Inspection document.
9. Additional NDT/impact/PMI/TPI requirements.
10. Any PED/project-specific requirements.

MetalMate takeaway

EN 10216 means seamless pressure tube, but the part number tells you which material/service family applies. Select the part from application and temperature/material requirements; do not choose EN 10216 merely because the product is seamless.

Related Knowledge

• EN 10217 series explained
• EN 10216 vs EN 10217
• EN 10296 vs EN 10297
• Which EN tube standard applies?

References

• NEN, EN 10216-1:2013: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10216-1-2013-en-190675
• NEN, EN 10216-2:2024: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10216-2-2024-en-331511
• NEN, EN 10216-3:2013: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10216-3-2013-en-190677
• NEN, EN 10216-4:2013: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10216-4-2013-en-190676
• NEN, EN 10216-5:2021: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10216-5-2021-en-282353