EN 10219 and AS/NZS 1163 are two distinct international standards for cold-formed welded structural steel hollow sections. While both cover circular, square, and rectangular profiles for load-bearing applications, they serve different regional markets and are not interchangeable.
EN 10219 is the European standard, utilizing grades like S235JR and S355J2H, whereas AS/NZS 1163 is the Australian/New Zealand standard, featuring grades such as C250, C350, and C450. Because differences exist in chemical composition, mechanical properties, dimensional tolerances, and testing requirements, engineers and buyers must carefully evaluate project specifications rather than assuming equivalence based on nominal strength.
What Is EN 10219 Steel Pipe?
EN 10219 steel pipe refers to cold-formed welded structural hollow sections manufactured according to the European EN 10219 standard. The standard covers structural hollow sections made from non-alloy and fine-grain steels. These products are available in circular, square, and rectangular shapes and are mainly used for load-bearing structures rather than fluid transportation.
Key Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Cold-formed—steel strip/plate formed at room temperature, longitudinal welded seam |
| Shapes | CHS (circular), SHS (square), RHS (rectangular) |
| Primary Use | Load-bearing structures—not fluid transportation |
| Grades | S235JRH, S275J0H, S355J2H (higher number = higher nominal yield strength) |
Material Grades
| Grade | Strength Level | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| S235JRH | Standard | General structural applications |
| S275J0H | Medium | Intermediate strength |
| S355J2H | High | Higher load-bearing capacity |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Minimum yield strength | Load-bearing capacity |
| Tensile strength | Maximum resistance |
| Elongation | Ductility |
| Impact properties | Toughness |
Dimensions & Shapes
| Shape | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| CHS (Circular) | Columns, supports, trusses | Symmetrical geometry |
| SHS (Square) | Frames, connections | Flat surfaces—simple fabrication |
| RHS (Rectangular) | Structural frames | Flat surfaces—different section properties |
Typical Applications
| Application | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| Building frames | Structural support |
| Columns | Vertical load-bearing |
| Trusses | Roof and bridge structures |
| Bridges | Infrastructure |
| Industrial structures | Factories, warehouses |
| Machinery supports | Equipment frames |
| Infrastructure projects | General construction |
Quality & Certification
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Material verification |
| Mechanical testing | Strength and ductility |
| Dimensional inspection | Size and tolerances |
| Weld inspection | Weld quality |
| Material certificates | Grade and test results |
| Third-party inspection | Additional verification (if required) |
Key Takeaway
EN 10219 steel pipe is best understood as a structural welded hollow section rather than a conventional fluid-transport pipe.
Selection should be based on:
- Grade – S235JRH, S275J0H, S355J2H
- Dimensions – shape, wall thickness, length
- Mechanical properties – strength and toughness
- Structural design – engineering calculations
- Certification – quality documentation
- Project standards – compliance
What Is AS/NZS 1163 Steel Pipe?
AS/NZS 1163 steel pipe refers to cold-formed welded structural steel hollow sections manufactured to the Australian/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 1163. These products are designed primarily for structural and load-bearing applications rather than conventional fluid transportation. They are widely used in construction, infrastructure, industrial facilities, mining, and engineering projects in Australia and New Zealand.
Key Characteristics
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Cold-formed—steel strip/plate formed at room temperature, longitudinal welded seam |
| Shapes | CHS (circular), SHS (square), RHS (rectangular) |
| Primary Use | Structural and load-bearing applications |
| Grades | C250, C350, C450 (number = minimum yield strength in MPa) |
Material Grades
| Grade | Minimum Yield Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| C250 | ~250 MPa | Moderate structural strength |
| C350 | ~350 MPa | Higher load-bearing capacity |
| C450 | ~450 MPa | Demanding structural applications |
Shapes & Dimensions
| Shape | Best For | Key Feature |
|---|---|---|
| CHS (Circular) | Columns, braces, trusses | Symmetrical geometry |
| SHS (Square) | Frames, fabricated structures | Flat surfaces—simple connections |
| RHS (Rectangular) | Structural frames | Flat surfaces—different section properties |
Typical Applications
| Application | Typical Use |
|---|---|
| Building structures | Frames, columns, supports |
| Bridges | Infrastructure |
| Industrial facilities | Factories, warehouses |
| Mining infrastructure | Heavy-duty structures |
| Agricultural structures | Equipment supports |
| Machinery supports | Frames and bases |
| General engineering | Structural components |
Quality Control & Certification
| Item | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Chemical composition | Material verification |
| Mechanical testing | Strength and ductility |
| Dimensional inspection | Size and tolerances |
| Weld inspection | Weld quality |
| Material identification | Traceability |
| Certification | Compliance with AS/NZS 1163 |
Key Takeaway
AS/NZS 1163 steel pipe is a structural welded hollow section designed for demanding load-bearing applications.
Selection should be based on:
- Grade – C250, C350, C450
- Dimensions – shape, wall thickness, length
- Mechanical properties – strength and toughness
- Project design code – engineering requirements
- Certification – quality documentation
- Service conditions – operating environment
EN 10219 vs AS/NZS 1163: Key Differences
EN 10219 and AS/NZS 1163 both cover cold-formed welded structural steel hollow sections, including circular, square, and rectangular sections. Because their products can look similar and may have comparable strength levels, buyers sometimes assume that they are interchangeable. However, the two standards have different technical requirements and are intended primarily for different regional markets. Understanding these differences is important when selecting structural steel pipe for a project.
Key Differences
| Aspect | EN 10219 | AS/NZS 1163 |
|---|---|---|
| Standard & Market | European standard—used in European projects | Australian/New Zealand standard—used in Australia/NZ |
| Grade Designations | S235JRH, S275J0H, S355J2H | C250, C350, C450 |
| Mechanical Properties | Yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, impact toughness—vary by grade/thickness | Yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, impact toughness—vary by grade/thickness |
| Chemical Composition | Different limits for C, Mn, P, S—affect strength, weldability | Different limits for C, Mn, P, S—affect strength, weldability |
| Dimensional Requirements | OD, wall thickness, length, straightness, corner geometry | OD, wall thickness, length, straightness, corner geometry |
| Testing & Certification | Chemical, tensile, impact, dimensional, weld inspection—MTC | Chemical, tensile, impact, dimensional, weld inspection—MTC |
Important Notes
| Consideration | Action |
|---|---|
| Not automatically interchangeable | A technically similar grade under one standard may not satisfy all requirements of the other |
| Grade comparison | S355 and C350 may have similar nominal yield strength—but composition, toughness, testing, and certification differ |
| Substitution | Must be reviewed by an engineer or responsible authority—compare strength, toughness, composition, dimensions, testing, certification, regulations |
Selection Factors
| Factor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Project standard | EN 10219 for Europe; AS/NZS 1163 for Australia/NZ |
| Mechanical properties | Strength and toughness |
| Dimensions | Fit and fabrication |
| Service conditions | Operating environment |
| Certification | Compliance |
| Local regulations | Code requirements |
Key Takeaway
EN 10219 and AS/NZS 1163 serve similar structural applications but follow different technical frameworks.
The best choice is not necessarily the stronger or cheaper product—it is the product that fully meets the project’s engineering and compliance requirements.
How to Choose Between EN 10219 and AS/NZS 1163?
Choosing between EN 10219 and AS/NZS 1163 steel pipes should be based on the project’s technical requirements rather than price or nominal strength alone. Both standards cover cold-formed welded structural hollow sections, but their grades, technical requirements, testing provisions, and regional applications are different. The following factors can help buyers and engineers make a practical decision.
Selection Factors
| Factor | EN 10219 | AS/NZS 1163 | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Location & Standard | European projects | Australian/New Zealand projects | Follow standard specified in project documents, engineer, building code, or local regulations—alternative requires technical review and approval |
| Required Strength | S235, S275, S355 | C250, C350, C450 | Do not compare grade numbers directly—review complete yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and thickness requirements |
| Toughness & Service Conditions | Impact properties per grade | Impact properties per grade | Review required impact properties and service temperature—consider environmental exposure, loading, fatigue |
| Dimensions & Tolerances | OD, wall thickness, length, straightness, corner geometry | OD, wall thickness, length, straightness, corner geometry | Wrong dimensions create fabrication and installation problems—even if material strength is adequate |
| Weldability & Fabrication | Chemical composition and material properties | Chemical composition and material properties | Review with project’s welding procedures—discuss fabrication requirements with engineer and supplier |
| Certification & Testing | MTC, chemical/mechanical/impact test results, dimensional/weld inspection, third-party | MTC, chemical/mechanical/impact test results, dimensional/weld inspection, third-party | Confirm required quality documentation—clearly identify actual standard and grade |
| Availability & Total Cost | Price, lead time, availability, transport, certification costs | Price, lead time, availability, transport, certification costs | Compare after technical suitability confirmed—shipping costs vary by dimensions, quantity, weight, destination |
Important Note – Substitution
| Rule | Action |
|---|---|
| Similar strength grade ≠ automatic substitution | EN 10219 and AS/NZS 1163 have different technical requirements |
| If substitution is necessary | Compare chemical composition, mechanical properties, toughness, dimensions, tolerances, testing, certification, design requirements—then obtain approval |
Final Selection
| Condition | Recommended Standard |
|---|---|
| Project requires European structural hollow sections | EN 10219 |
| Project requires Australian/New Zealand structural requirements | AS/NZS 1163 |
| Both technically acceptable | Base decision on availability, delivery time, certification, fabrication, total delivered cost |
Key Takeaway
The best choice is not simply the strongest or least expensive steel pipe—it is the product that meets the project’s structural requirements, applicable standards, dimensional needs, certification requirements, and delivery schedule.
Our EN 10219 and AS/NZS 1163 Steel Pipe Products and Shipping Services
We supply premium EN 10219 and AS/NZS 1163 structural steel hollow sections tailored for global construction and infrastructure projects. Available in CHS, SHS, and RHS profiles, we offer a wide range of grades including S355J2H, C250, C350, and C450.
FAQ 1: What is the difference between EN 10219 and AS/NZS 1163?
Both cover cold-formed welded structural hollow sections, but they have different grade designations, technical requirements, testing provisions, and regional applications.
FAQ 2: Is EN 10219 equivalent to AS/NZS 1163?
No. They should not be considered automatically interchangeable. The specific grade, mechanical properties, dimensions, testing, and project requirements must be compared.
FAQ 3: Which is stronger, EN 10219 or AS/NZS 1163?
Neither standard is inherently stronger. Strength depends on the specific grade selected, such as S355J2H under EN 10219 or C350 under AS/NZS 1163.
FAQ 4: Which standard should I choose for my project?
Follow the standard specified by the project engineer, applicable regulations, and design codes. European projects commonly use EN 10219, while Australian and New Zealand projects commonly use AS/NZS 1163.
FAQ 5: Can EN 10219 steel pipes be used in Australia?
They may be accepted in some projects, but this should be confirmed by the responsible engineer or project authority. Technical equivalence and certification must be verified before substitution.
Post time: Sep-09-2026