Meaning of steel grade classification according to VDA 239-100

11.03.2026 | Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH

Transparency regarding materials is essential in the automotive value chain. Steel grade designations according to material sheet VDA 239-100 serve to clearly communicate material properties, surfaces, and processing characteristics between automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and processors. The aim of the standard system is to prevent misunderstandings, ensure quality, and reliably control processes from development through production to recycling. The following compilation explains the central structure of the steel groups and important distinguishing features—in particular with regard to mechanical and technological properties and surface finish. A labeling aid at the end facilitates quick assignment.
 

I. Structure and classification of steel groups in VDA 239-100

Steel grades are divided into groups, which are initially differentiated according to their manufacturing process, mechanical and technological properties, or processing properties:

1. Mild steels
These steels have a low yield strength and high elongation at break, thus ensuring good formability. The abbreviations for mild steels are composed of the following criteria:

  • Rolling type
    Hot rolled HR (Hot Rolled)
    Cold rolled CR (Cold Rolled)
  • Grade class number
    1 - Basic grade
    2 - Drawing grade
    3 - Deep drawing grade
    4 - Special deep drawing grade
    5 - Super deep drawing grade
    6 - Ultra deep drawing grade.

IF (interstitial free) analyses are used for grades with increased formability, which are alloyed with Ti or Nb and are low in C and N. This improves the forming and flow properties of the materials. A distinction is therefore made between non-IF and IF grades:
-    non IF or IF

Example: NON IF CR3
soft cold-rolled non-IF hot-dip galvanized
deep-drawing steel

2. High-strength steels
High-strength steels are designated according to the following criteria:

  • Rolling type
    CR cold rolled
    HR hot rolled
  • Minimum yield strength Rp02 or ReL in longitudinal direction
  • Steel type
    BH - Bake-Hardening
    IF - Interstitial Free
    LA – (low or microalloyed) low and microalloyed
    S - With controlled sulfide inclusions (not applicable to Salzgitter Flachstahl)

Example: HR340LA
Hot-rolled high-strength low-alloy steel 
with Re min. 340 MPa

Example: CR240BH-EG50/50-E
Cold-rolled high-strength bake hardening steel 
with minimum yield strength 240 MPa

3. Multiphase steels
Multiphase steels are also defined by the following criteria:

  • Rolling type
    CR cold rolled
    HR hot rolled
  • Minimum yield strength Rp02 or ReL and the abbreviation Y (Yield); 
    minimum tensile strength Rm and the abbreviation T (Tension).
  • Steel type:
    FB - Ferritic-bainitic
    CP - Complex phase
    CH - Complex phase with improved formability
    DP - Dual phase
    DH - Dual phase with improved formability
    MS - Martensitic phase
    FH - Multi-phase with high global formability

II. Surfaces

In addition to the basic material properties, VDA 239-100 also specifies the surface properties in detail. This means that the surface can also be defined for each type of steel. It is important to ensure that each coating is ordered with a surface finish and the corresponding coating weight, any surface treatment, and the coating index.
The following links take you directly to the relevant pages of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH:


Surface finish:

  • U - (unexposed) - Surface for internal parts (non-external parts) and
  • E - (exposed) - Surface for external parts
  • A – (without any surface requirements) - No special requirements 


Surface treatment:

  • P - Phosphated
  • C - Chemically passivated
  • O – oiled with specified oil coating in g/m²
     

Coating class of coated products 

  • EG - 12; 18; 29; 47; 50; 53; 60; 65; 70
  • GI - 40; 50; 60; 70; 85; 115
  • ZM - 30; 40; 50; 60

Example: NON IF CR3 GI 50/50 U - PCO
Soft cold-rolled Non IF hot-dip galvanized 
deep-drawing steel with a coating weight of 50 g/m² per side, 
phosphated, chemically passivated, oiled, surface quality for NON-exterior parts

Example: HR340LA -UC-U
Hot-rolled high-strength low-alloy steel 
with Re min. 340 MPa, uncoated, 
surface quality for NON-exterior parts

Example: CR240BH-EG50/50-E
Cold-rolled high-strength bake hardening steel 
with minimum yield strength 240 MPa, electrolytically galvanized, 
with a coating weight of 50 g/m² per side, 
surface quality for outer skin