The DC-Series in EN 10130
EN 10130 is the European standard for cold-rolled low-carbon steel flat products for cold forming. Its grades run from DC01 to DC07, and the two-digit number indicates the forming capability: the higher the number, the softer and more ductile the steel, and the more severe the forming operation it can survive. DC is the designation for flat products for cold forming on a cold-rolled substrate. The full series is used across automotive, appliance, furniture, and general stamping, and the choice of grade is driven by the most severe forming step in the part.
Chemical Composition
The maximum chemical composition limits of the common DC grades are listed below. These are maxima; the producer may use lower values or micro-alloying to meet the required forming properties.
| Grade | C, % | Mn, % | P, % | S, % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC01 | 0.12 | 0.60 | 0.045 | 0.045 |
| DC03 | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| DC04 | 0.08 | 0.40 | 0.035 | 0.035 |
| DC05 | 0.06 | 0.35 | 0.025 | 0.025 |
| DC06 | 0.02 | 0.25 | 0.020 | 0.020 |
DC04 and higher are normally aluminium-killed to control strain aging, and DC06 is an interstitial-free steel, typically stabilised with titanium or niobium, which gives it its exceptional drawability.
Mechanical Properties
The mechanical properties are thickness-dependent. For the most common band above 0.7 mm and up to 3.0 mm, the requirements are:
| Grade | Yield strength ReH, MPa | Tensile strength Rm, MPa | Elongation A80, %, min |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC01 | 140 – 280 | 270 – 410 | 28 |
| DC03 | 140 – 240 | 270 – 370 | 32 |
| DC04 | 140 – 210 | 270 – 350 | 36 |
| DC05 | 140 – 180 | 270 – 330 | 38 |
| DC06 | 120 – 180 | 270 – 350 | 40 |
Two adjustments apply to thin material: for 0.5 to 0.7 mm the yield strength is increased by 20 MPa and the elongation reduced by 2%; below 0.5 mm the yield strength is increased by 40 MPa and the elongation reduced by 4%. The yield strength is given as a range because these forming steels are specified by a maximum yield strength, not a minimum: the designer needs the low yield point for consistent springback, and the grade guarantee is that the steel stays soft.
Grade Selection by Application
DC01 is the general-purpose grade for bending, simple stamping, and parts that are painted or plated. DC03 suits moderate drawing such as drawn housings and trays. DC04 is the workhorse deep-drawing grade for automotive inner panels, appliance liners, and drawn enclosures. DC05 is used for severe draws, and DC06 for the most demanding geometries, including complex automotive structural pressings, where its high r-value and elongation prevent thinning and fracture. Because the price rises with the grade number, the rule is to specify the lowest grade that survives the forming operation.
| Grade | Forming level | Typical parts |
|---|---|---|
| DC01 | Bending, simple stamping | Brackets, panels, furniture parts, housings |
| DC03 | Moderate drawing | Trays, drawn housings, enclosures |
| DC04 | Deep drawing | Appliance liners, automotive inner panels, sinks |
| DC05 | Severe deep drawing | Complex drawn components, critical surfaces |
| DC06 | Extra-deep drawing | IF-steel parts, complex automotive pressings |
Supply Forms and Surface Finish
DC-series material is supplied as coil, slit coil, sheet, and cut-to-length plate. Standard coil inner diameters are 508 mm and 610 mm. Surface finish can be bright or matte, and delivery can be oiled or dry; oiling protects against rust during transport and storage and should be specified for long shipments. Common thicknesses run from about 0.30 mm to 3.0 mm and widths from 600 mm to 2000 mm, with the practical range depending on the mill. For applications that need corrosion protection, the cold-rolled base is further processed into galvanized, galvalume, or colour-coated products, specified separately under their own standards.
How to Specify DC-Series Supply
A complete specification names the standard and edition, the grade, the thickness and width with tolerance class, the surface condition, the delivery form, the oiling requirement, and the documentation, typically a mill test certificate to EN 10204 3.1. If the part will be drawn, the drawing severity should be mentioned so the mill can confirm the grade. Specifying the grade correctly at the ordering stage avoids both under-specification, which causes forming failures, and over-specification, which raises cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between DC01 and DC02?
EN 10130 defines DC01 to DC07, and the grade numbering steps through increasing formability. DC02 is not a standard EN 10130 grade; the standard series is DC01, DC03, DC04, DC05, DC06, and DC07. Some older national designations used different numbering, so the intended grade should be confirmed against the standard.
Q: Which DC grade is used for deep drawing?
DC04 for general deep drawing, DC05 for severe drawing, and DC06 (interstitial-free) for the most demanding geometries and critical surface parts.
Q: What is the difference between SPCC and DC01?
SPCC is the general-purpose cold-rolled grade of JIS G3141 and DC01 is the equivalent in EN 10130. They are the practical equivalents in their standard systems, with slightly different tolerance and property tables.
Q: How is the theoretical weight of a cold-rolled coil calculated?
Weight in kg = thickness in mm x width in m x length in m x 7.85, using the carbon-steel density of 7.85 g/cm3. The strip length can be derived from the coil dimensions and mass.
Q: Can DC-series steel be galvanized afterwards?
Yes. Cold-rolled DC-series strip is the standard substrate for continuous hot-dip galvanizing, supplied as coated products per EN 10346. The base grade appears in the coated designation, for example DX51D for general forming.
Q: What surface finishes are available?
Bright or matte surface texture, and oiled or dry delivery. Matte surfaces are preferred for painted parts; oiled delivery protects the surface during storage and shipment.
