What Is DC01 Steel?
DC01 is defined by EN 10130:2006, "Cold rolled low carbon steel flat products for cold forming". In the EN 10027 designation, "D" = flat products for cold forming, "C" = cold rolled, and "01" = the formability class (lowest). It covers thickness 0.35-3.0 mm, width 600 mm and above, delivered as sheet, coil, slit coil or cut lengths, normally skin-passed and oiled.
DC01 steel (1.0330 material) is a European standard cold-rolled quality low-carbon steel flat product for cold forming. In BS and DIN EN 10130 standard, it contains 5 other steel grades: DC03 (1.0347), DC04 (1.0338), DC05 (1.0312), DC06 ( 1.0873) and DC07 (1.0898), the surface quality is divided into 2 types: DC01-A and DC01-B. In addition, this steel is also used under electrogalvanizing conditions. The designation of the steel is DC01+ZE (or 1.0330+ZE), and the standard is EN 10152.
Surface quality is designated A (better surface, suitable for quality paint or electrolytic coating) or B (normal surface); finish symbols are b (bright), g (semi-bright), m (normal), r (rough). A full designation looks like Sheet EN 10130-DC01-A-m. Dimensional tolerances follow EN 10131.
Cold Rolled Steel
Chemical Composition (ladle analysis, max %, per EN 10130:2006)
|
Element
|
C
|
Mn
|
P
|
S
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Maximum (%)
|
0.12
|
0.60
|
0.045
|
0.045
|
EN 10130 allows DC01 to be supplied as alloy steel (e.g. with boron or titanium) where agreed at enquiry. Nitrogen is not specified for DC01 - if a mill lists an internal N limit, treat it as a control value, not a standard requirement. Actual values come from the EN 10204 3.1 certificate.
Mechanical Properties (per EN 10130:2006, thickness-adjusted)
|
Property
|
Value
|
Notes
|
|---|---|---|
|
Yield strength (ReL / Rp0.2)
|
max 280 MPa
|
Upper limit only, for t > 0.7 mm; +20 MPa for 0.5-0.7 mm; +40 MPa for t ≤ 0.5 mm. No minimum guaranteed
|
|
Tensile strength (Rm)
|
270-410 MPa
|
Guaranteed range
|
|
Elongation (A80), min
|
28%
|
26% for 0.5-0.7 mm; 24% for t ≤ 0.5 mm
|
|
r90 / n90 values
|
Not specified
|
DC01 has no guaranteed formability indices - that starts at DC03
|
|
Hardness
|
Not specified
|
Reference only: annealed (+A) material shows Vickers hardness up to about 105 HV (SteelNumber); no HRB requirement exists
|
DC01 is not a "140-280 MPa" grade: the yield number is an upper limit used to cap strength for forming, not a guarantee. When a datasheet shows a yield range, ask the mill whether it is a typical range or a standard limit, and check the mill certificate for the actual value.
The DC01-DC07 Family (formability ladder)
|
Grade
|
Material No.
|
Class
|
Best for
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
DC01
|
1.0330
|
General purpose
|
Simple bending, light forming, enclosures, furniture
|
|
1.0347
|
Medium drawing
|
General forming, moderate drawing
|
|
|
DC04
|
1.0338
|
Deep drawing
|
Complex stampings (r90 ≥ 1.6, n90 ≥ 0.180)
|
|
DC05
|
1.0312
|
Deep drawing (special)
|
Very demanding shapes
|
|
DC06
|
1.0873
|
Extra deep drawing
|
Automotive inner panels, extreme forming
|
|
DC07
|
1.0898
|
Super deep drawing
|
Most demanding applications
|
DC01 has no guaranteed r/n values and only a limited stretcher-strain guarantee (quality B: no stretcher marks for 3 months after skin-passing). If your part draws more than a shallow cup, step up the ladder - the extra cost is small compared with a cracked press run.
DC01 Equivalents
|
Standard
|
Commonly referenced equivalent
|
Note
|
|---|---|---|
|
EN 10130 (Europe)
|
DC01 / 1.0330
|
Reference grade
|
|
DIN (Germany)
|
St 12
|
Withdrawn DIN 1623 designation, superseded by DC01
|
|
JIS (Japan)
|
SPCC
|
JIS G3141 commercial quality
|
|
ASTM (USA)
|
A1008 CS Type B
|
Commercial steel, cold rolled
|
|
ISO
|
CR1
|
ISO 3574 commercial quality
|
|
GB (China)
|
DC01 (GB/T 5213) / SPCC
|
GB/T 5213 adopts DC01-DC06 naming; "Q195" is a structural grade and should not be treated as an exact match
|
Equivalence is an engineering approximation: chemical limits, thickness-dependent values and inspection rules all differ between standards. Always confirm the governing specification with the buyer before substituting.
Typical Applications of DC01
1.Metal furniture frames and panels
2.Electrical enclosures, cabinets and switchgear boxes
3.Steel drums, barrels and general packaging
4.Brackets, trays and lightly stamped parts
5.Base material for painting, powder coating and electro-galvanizing (DC01+ZE per EN 10152)
Ordering Checklist for DC01
1.Full designation: EN 10130 + grade + surface quality + finish (e.g. EN 10130-DC01-A-m).
2.Nominal thickness, width, and coil/sheet form; tolerances per EN 10131.
3.Skin-passed delivery, oiled or dry, and the intended coating process if the part will be painted or coated.
4.Documentation: EN 10204 Type 3.1 mill certificate showing heat composition and tensile test results.
5.Third-party inspection (SGS, BV) if required by your contract.
Frequently Asked Questions
1.What is DC01 cold rolled steel used for?
General-purpose forming: metal furniture, electrical cabinets, steel drums and simple stamped parts. It is not for deep drawing - choose DC03 or higher for complex shapes.
2.What is the difference between DC01 and DC03?
DC03 (1.0347) is a medium-drawing grade with better formability and tighter composition limits (C ≤ 0.10, Mn ≤ 0.45); DC01 is general purpose. Use DC03 when parts draw moderately and surface appearance after forming matters.
3.Is cold rolled DC01 suitable for deep drawing?
No. Grades designed for deep drawing are DC04-DC06 (and DC07); DC01 has no guaranteed r/n values. Match the grade to the forming severity.
4.What thickness range is available?
EN 10130 covers 0.35-3.0 mm unless otherwise agreed; wider ranges by mill agreement. Confirm the thickness programme with your supplier.
5.Can DC01 be electro-galvanized?
Yes - DC01+ZE (electrolytically zinc-coated) is standardized under EN 10152, and DC01 is also a common substrate for hot-dip coating and organic painting.
Summary
The DC01 grade equivalent chart is an essential reference for anyone involved in cold rolled steel sourcing, engineering, or production. By understanding how DC01 compares with international standards such as ASTM, JIS, and DIN, manufacturers can make informed decisions that ensure material compatibility, performance stability, and cost efficiency.
With its balanced mechanical properties, excellent surface quality, and wide global acceptance, DC01 remains one of the most reliable cold rolled steel grades for general-purpose applications. GNEE STEEL continues to support global customers with stable supply, strict quality control, and a comprehensive range of cold rolled steel products.
