Cold-rolled steel
What is Cold-rolled steel?
Cold-rolled steel is a type of steel that undergoes cold reduction at room temperature after hot-rolling, producing a tighter thickness tolerance and a superior surface finish. This secondary processing improves mechanical strength, enhances flatness, and provides a clean, bright surface suitable for precision manufacturing. Because of its stability and versatility, cold-rolled steel is one of the most widely used materials in industrial production worldwide.
The Most Common Cold-Rolled Steel Grade Globally
Across global markets, DC01 (EN 10130) and SPCC (JIS G 3141) are recognized as the most common and widely used cold-rolled steel grades. These materials dominate the commercial-quality steel market due to:
- Universal availability
- Flexibility in forming
- Stable mechanical properties
- Affordable cost
- Suitability for coating and painting
Because they represent the "baseline" of cold-rolled steel products, manufacturers often select DC01 or SPCC when no special deep-drawing or high-strength requirements exist.
1. Common Cold Rolled Steel Grades (EN 10130 Standard)
The EN 10130 specification defines cold rolled low-carbon steel grades for deep drawing and forming applications.
Table 1. EN Cold Rolled Steel Grades and Features
| Grade | Formability Level | Key Characteristics |
|---|---|---|
| DC01 | Commercial | General forming, good bendability |
| DC03 | Deep Drawing | Reduced yield strength for deeper drawing |
| DC04 | Extra Deep Drawing | High elongation, excellent formability |
| DC05 | Special Deep Drawing | Very high ductility |
| DC06 | Extra-Extra Deep Drawing | Suitable for severe forming operations |
| DC07 | Ultra Deep Drawing | Lowest strength, highest formability |
EN cold rolled steel grades form the foundation for automotive and appliance manufacturing due to predictable behavior and consistent surface quality.
2. Comparison of Mechanical Properties
Table 2. Mechanical Property Comparison
| Grade | Yield Strength (MPa) | Tensile Strength (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC01 | 140–280 | 270–410 | 28–34 |
| DC03 | ≤ 220 | 260–370 | ≥ 34 |
| DC04 | ≤ 180 | 270–350 | ≥ 36 |
| DC05 | ≤ 160 | 270–340 | ≥ 38 |
| DC06 | ≤ 150 | 270–330 | ≥ 40 |
| DC07 | ≤ 140 | 240–310 | ≥ 38 |
Higher formability corresponds to lower yield strength and higher elongation.
3. International Equivalent Grades
Cold rolled steel grades vary across national standards, but many have functional equivalents.
Table 3. Global Equivalent Grades
| EN Grade | JIS Equivalent | ASTM Equivalent | ISO Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| DC01 | SPCC | CS Type A/B | CR1 |
| DC03 | SPCD | DS | CR2 |
| DC04 | SPCE | DDS | CR3 |
| DC05 | SPCE-SD | EDDS | CR4 |
| DC06 | SPCF | EDDS+ | CR5 |
| DC07 | SPCE-SD (closest) | EDDS | CR5 |
These equivalency tables help engineers source materials globally with similar properties.
The most common cold-rolled steel grades in today's global market are DC01 and SPCC, widely chosen for commercial applications due to their availability, performance stability, and excellent surface finish. As a supplier of cold-rolled steel coils and sheets, GNEE STEEL provides a full range of grades to meet forming, stamping, deep-drawing, welding, and coating needs.
