0.6 mm Cold Rolled Carbon Steel Coil in the DC Deep Drawing Family
A 0.6 mm cold rolled carbon steel coil is a light gauge product that has to survive two different kinds of demand at once. It must be flat and clean enough to look right on a finished panel, and it must be ductile enough to be pressed into shape without splitting. That is why the DC grades are specified so often at this thickness: they belong to the cold forming family of low carbon steels, where carbon content is kept low and the coil is annealed after cold reduction so that the crystal structure recrystallises and the metal can be stretched again.
DC01, DC02, DC03 and DC04 sit at different points on the same ductility ladder. Naming the right one is the difference between a stable stamping process and a tool that tears parts at the draw radius.
How the DC Grades Compare
| Grade | Forming level | Typical part demand |
| DC01 | Basic, simple forming | Bending, coining, beading, shallow drawing |
| DC02 | Intermediate forming | Moderate draws, housings with gentle profiles |
| DC03 | Deep drawing | Deep drawn and difficult profiled parts |
| DC04 | High forming requirements | Severe draws needing maximum ductility |
DC01 is the entry grade and is also seen on older drawings as St12 or FeP01 from DIN 1623, which EN 10130 replaced. DC03 keeps excellent deep drawing capability under all types of deformation and is chosen where the shape includes a real draw or a difficult profile. DC04 is the deep drawing grade of the family with excellent properties under all types of deformation, suited to the highest forming demands. DC05, the ultra low carbon grade used where formability and surface quality must both be at their best, is the next step above DC04 and is available on request. DC02 is present in many mill catalogues and older editions of the standard rather than in every current edition, so it is worth stating the applied standard edition when DC02 is named.
Typical Mechanical Property Ranges
| Grade | Yield strength Rp0.2 | Tensile strength Rm | Elongation A80 |
| DC01 | 140-280 MPa | 270-410 MPa | min 28% |
| DC03 | 140-240 MPa | 270-370 MPa | min 34% |
| DC04 | 140-210 MPa | 270-350 MPa | min 38% |
| DC05 | 140-180 MPa | 270-330 MPa | min 40% |
These are the typical ranges published for the grades in EN 10130. Elongation rises and the yield strength ceiling falls as the forming level increases, which is exactly the trade a press shop is buying: softer, more stretchable steel in exchange for a slightly lower stiffness. The values that govern acceptance are those recorded on the mill certificate issued for the delivered coil.
Chemistry Behind the Formability
Low carbon, low manganese and tight phosphorus and sulphur limits are what make deep drawing possible without cracking. Extra low carbon grades go further and are stabilised so that ageing during storage does not reintroduce a yield point elongation, which matters when parts are pressed long after the coil was produced. Sulphur and phosphorus control is also what keeps the surface free of inclusions that would show up as defects on a painted panel.
Applications at 0.6 mm
Automotive and appliance brackets, housings and drawn covers.
Electrical enclosures, cable trays and ventilation components.
Furniture, shelving and cabinet parts made by press forming.
Lighting housings, reflector bodies and decorative trim.
Thin panel parts where a coated, defect-free face is required.
At this gauge the draw depth, die clearance and lubrication all matter as much as the grade, so a material change from DC01 to DC03 or DC04 is normally made together with a review of the tooling settings rather than as a straight swap.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is DC04 material?
DC04 is a deep drawing steel of the DC grade family with excellent deep drawing properties under all types of deformation, used for high forming requirements.
Q: What is the difference between DC01 and DC04?
DC01 is the basic cold forming grade for bending, embossing, beading and simple drawing, while DC04 is the deep drawing grade intended for the most severe forming.
Q: What is DC03 steel grade?
DC03 is a mild low carbon steel for cold forming. It offers excellent deep drawing capability under all types of deformation and suits deep drawn and difficult profiles.
Q: What is DC05 material?
DC05 is a high quality ultra low carbon deep drawing steel, chosen where superior formability and surface quality are both required.
Q: Is DC01 mild steel?
Yes. DC01 is a mild steel with low carbon content produced by cold rolling, which gives it a smooth surface and uniform thickness.
Q: Why is the coil skin passed and annealed?
Annealing restores ductility after cold reduction and skin passing removes yield point elongation, improving flatness and surface finish before the coil is pressed.