EN 10217 series explained

EN 10217 is the European family for welded steel tubes for pressure purposes. Unlike a simple “welded version of EN 10216,” the family is split not only by material/service-temperature properties but, in several parts, by welding route.

For seamless pressure tube, see EN 10216 series explained.

The EN 10217 family

The part number is therefore essential. “EN 10217 welded pipe” is not enough for a technically complete RFQ.

Why there are separate Parts 2 and 5

Both address elevated-temperature pressure service, but they separate important manufacturing routes:

• Part 2 — electric-welded tube;
• Part 5 — submerged-arc longitudinally or helically welded tube.

A similar split exists for low-temperature non-alloy tube:

• Part 4 — electric welded;
• Part 6 — SAW.

This is why selecting an EN 10217 part requires both the service/property family and the welding process.

Part 3 is broader

EN 10217-3 covers welded alloy fine-grain steel tubes and includes electric-welded as well as submerged-arc longitudinal/helical routes. It addresses room, elevated and low-temperature properties within that fine-grain family.

Do not assume its grade system is interchangeable with Part 1 or Part 4 simply because all are welded pressure tubes.

Part 7 — welded stainless pressure tube

EN 10217-7 covers welded circular austenitic and austenitic-ferritic stainless tubes intended for pressure and corrosion-resisting service at room, low or elevated temperatures.

This is the welded pressure-tube counterpart to the seamless stainless family in EN 10216-5. The alloy may have the same material number, but the product standard and manufacturing route remain different.

ERW, HFI and “electric welded” terminology

Commercial offers may use ERW, HFI/HFW or “longitudinal welded.” The exact process stated by the mill must fit the manufacturing route permitted by the selected EN 10217 part.

Do not infer compliance from the commercial process label alone; check the MTC's standard, grade, route and testing.

EN 10217 vs structural welded tube

A welded tube is not automatically EN 10217. If the purpose is structural rather than pressure service, EN 10219 or EN 10210 may be relevant instead.

See EN 10210 vs EN 10219 and the broader EN tube-standard selection guide.

What should an RFQ state?

At minimum:

1. Full EN 10217 part.
2. Complete grade/material number.
3. Welding/manufacturing route.
4. Test category where applicable.
5. OD and wall thickness.
6. Length/tolerances.
7. Required heat treatment/delivery condition.
8. Inspection document.
9. NDT and weld-inspection requirements.
10. Any impact, corrosion, PMI, TPI or project additions.

MetalMate takeaway

EN 10217 is the welded pressure-tube family, but the correct part depends on material/service properties and, often, the welding route. Never stop at “EN 10217”; specify the part and grade.

Related Knowledge

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

References

• NEN, EN 10217-1:2019: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10217-1-2019-en-258334
• NEN, EN 10217-2:2019: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10217-2-2019-en-258335
• NEN, EN 10217-3:2019: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10217-3-2019-en-258336
• NEN, EN 10217-4:2019: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10217-4-2019-en-258337
• NEN, EN 10217-5:2019: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10217-5-2019-en-258338
• NEN, EN 10217-6:2019: https://www.nen.nl/nen-en-10217-6-2019-en-258339
• NEN, EN 10217-7:2021: https://www.nen.nl/en/nen-en-10217-7-2021-en-282354