Skip to main content Skip to search Skip to main navigation

Which different types of stainless steel are available?

In the DIN EN 10020 three main grades are defined:

  • non-alloyed steels (unalloyed high-grade steel) usually contain only carbon additives. Therefore, they are called carbon steel. Unalloyed steels are subdivided into steels designated for later heat treatment or not designated for later heat treatment. Unalloyed steels may contain small amounts of chromium, copper, nickel, lead, manganese or silicon. These are used for construction or for domestic applications.
  • Stainless steel (corrosion-resistant, high-alloyed steel) refers to steel with a content of at least 11% chromium and at most 1.2% carbon by mass. This grade is used in the construction of pharmaceutical equipment, for example.
  • Other steel alloys are not used in the construction of pharmaceutical equipment.

[GMP Compliance Adviser, Chapter 4.B]

Would you like to discover more?

The GMP Compliance Adviser is the world's largest knowledge portal for quality management in the pharma business. 

The demo access is non-binding and ends automatically.

Test it now for free

You may also be interested in the following articles:

ICH: Updated Q9(R1) Briefing Pack

ICH: Updated Q9(R1) Briefing Pack

The ICH has fully revised the Q9(R1) Briefing Pack (March/April 2026) to align with the updated ICH Q9 guideline.
Read more
EMA: New Plans for the EU GMP Guide

EMA: New Plans for the EU GMP Guide

EMA published the GMDP Inspectors Working Group’s new 2026-2028 work plan and its 2025 annual report.
Read more
EMA: Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS) Effectiveness Pilot Project

EMA: Pharmaceutical Quality System (PQS) Effectiveness Pilot Project

EMA launched a pilot under which EEA GMP inspectors will assess how sites demonstrate the effectiveness of their pharmaceutical quality system for risk-based change management, and whether the EEA GMP certificate could serve as the main evidence of this effectiveness.
Read more
EMA: Updated Guideline on Active Substance Chemistry

EMA: Updated Guideline on Active Substance Chemistry

The EMA has updated guidance on the information required for the manufacture and control of active substances used in medicinal products, with a 1 September 2026 date of application.
Read more
EMA: Q&A on the Implementation of 3DP Technology for Solid Oral Dosage Forms

EMA: Q&A on the Implementation of 3DP Technology for Solid Oral Dosage Forms

EMA added a new GMP/Q&A section on its website and published a dedicated Q&A document on 3D printing (3DP) for solid oral dosage forms.
Read more
Microbiological Monitoring – Sources of Contamination

Microbiological Monitoring – Sources of Contamination

All pharmaceutical dosage forms must be manufactured under controlled microbiological conditions. This requires microbial monitoring. This applies not only to sterile manufacturing, but also to facilities that manufacture non-sterile products.
Read more
Previous
Next