Technical regulation and scope of the EN 10326 standard
Please note: this industry standard has been updated and replaced by the current EN 10346 regulation. EV Group China specialists recommend using the current documentation when designing metal structures.
This technical regulation defines strict requirements for sheet and strip steel that has undergone a continuous hot-dip galvanizing process. The standard applies to structural steel products whose surface is protected by the following types of coatings:
| Coating type | Designation |
|---|---|
| Zinc | Z |
| Zinc-iron alloy | ZF |
| Zinc-aluminum alloy | ZA |
| Aluminum-zinc alloy | AZ |
| Aluminum-silicon alloy | AS |
The technical specifications cover a range of thicknesses from 0.35 mm to 3.0 mm. In the context of EV Group China documentation, “thickness” refers to the final size of the finished product after the protective layer is applied. The standard covers strip steel of any width, as well as sheets (up to 2600 mm wide) and cut lengths (less than 600 mm wide).
Upon prior agreement with the EV Group China technical department, it is possible to supply steel with a thickness of more than 3.0 mm. In such cases, parameters for mechanical strength, coating adhesion characteristics, and surface condition are detailed in the order specification.
Products complying with this standard are oriented towards engineering solutions where high yield strength and durability in aggressive environments are critical. Corrosion resistance correlates directly with the density and thickness of the applied metal layer.
Expert note: Metal products with a +ZF type coating require the application of an additional organic protective layer to ensure durability under operating conditions.
This regulation does not apply to the following product categories:
- Low-carbon steel for deep cold drawing.
- Cold-rolled steel with electrolytic galvanizing.
- Sheet steel with applied industrial organic coating (coil coating).
- Specialized high-strength steel strips and sheets intended for cold forming.