DC01 is a cold-rolled low-carbon steel belonging to the European standard EN 10130, with the material number 1.0330. It's the basic grade in the DC steel family (DC01-DC07), designed specifically for cold forming operations .
Core Properties
Surface finish: Smooth, scale-free (Ra≤0.8μm), ideal for painting/plating
Dimensional accuracy: Thickness tolerance of ±0.03mm (superior to hot-rolled steel)
Formability: Excellent cold bending, stamping, and drawing capabilities
Weldability: Exceptional due to low carbon content
Ductility: High elongation (≥28%)
Thickness range: 0.10~6mm, with standard thicknesses of 0.5-2.0mm
Chemical Composition
| Element | Maximum Content (%) | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤0.12 | Ensures good formability and weldability |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤0.60 | Provides moderate strength |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤0.045 | Controls brittleness |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤0.045 | Minimizes hot cracking during processing |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤0.03 | Kept low to maintain ductility |
Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength | 140-280 MPa | Deforms predictably under load |
| Tensile Strength | 270-410 MPa | Ultimate resistance to breaking |
| Elongation (A80) | ≥28% | High ductility for cold forming |
| Rockwell Hardness | 50-70 HRB | Moderate hardness for processing |
| Vickers Hardness | 90-130 HV | Surface resistance to indentation |
| Elastic Modulus | 210 GPa | Stiffness; minimal deformation under load |
| Plastic Strain Ratio (r90) | ≥1.6 | Resistance to anisotropy in deep drawing |
| Strain Hardening Index (n90) | ≥0.18 | Improves resistance to necking during forming |
Best Applications
Automotive Industry
Body panels: Doors, hoods, fenders (thickness 0.6~1.2mm)
Interior components: Door linings, dashboards
Non-structural parts: Trunk lids, radiator supports
EV applications: DC01-C590 variant for battery pack frames (reduces thickness by 20-25% vs. traditional grades)
Safety components: Front longitudinal beams, rear crash beams
Home Appliances
Refrigerator panels and doors (0.5mm thickness)
Washing machine drums and shells
Microwave oven interiors
Air conditioning units: Reduces weight by 15% while maintaining strength
Construction & Furniture
Light steel framing and partitions
Roof panels, wall panels, and gutters
Elevator car panels and metal ceilings
Furniture frameworks: Table legs, cabinet structures
Industrial & Other Uses
HVAC ductwork (cost-effective alternative to galvanized steel)
Electrical enclosures and device casings
Food processing equipment: Retort liners, conveyor supports
Spring components and precision parts
Enhanced Variants
DC01+ZE (Electro-Galvanized)
Zinc coating (typically 25/25g/m²) for superior corrosion resistance
Ideal for outdoor applications and humid environments
Surface quality maintained for painting/coating
DC01-C Series (High-Strength Variants)
DC01-C390: Yield strength ≥360MPa, tensile strength 390-590MPa
DC01-C590: Yield strength ≥420MPa, tensile strength 590-640MPa
Applications: Heavy machinery components, structural reinforcements
Weight reduction benefit: Up to 15% compared to traditional Q235 steel
Equivalent Grades Worldwide
| Region | Standards | Equivalent Grades |
|---|---|---|
| United States | SAE/ASTM | SAE 1008, SAE 1010, ASTM A1008 CS Type A |
| Germany | DIN | FeP01, St12 (former designation) |
| Japan | JIS | SPCC (General cold-rolled steel) |
| China | GB | 08, 08F, DC01 (GB/T 5213-2019) |
| France | AFNOR | C, F12, FeP01 |
| UK | BS | CR4, FeP01 |
| Italy | UNI | FeP01 |
| International | ISO | CR1, CR22 |
Production Process
DC01 is produced through a precise cold-rolling process:
Hot-rolled coil pickling: Removes scale and impurities
Multiple cold-rolling passes: Reduces thickness and improves surface finish
Protective atmosphere annealing: Relieves stress and enhances ductility
Skin passing: Final light rolling for surface quality and dimensional accuracy
Summary
DC01 cold-rolled steel remains a cornerstone material in modern manufacturing in 2025, valued for its excellent formability, weldability, and cost efficiency. Its composition (C≤0.12%, Mn≤0.60%) strikes the perfect balance between workability and durability.
What is the difference between DC01 and DC04 steel?
DC04 and DC01 are both cold-rolled, unalloyed quality steels that are used for various industrial applications. While DC01 serves as the standard grade for general cold forming processes, DC04 is characterized by improved deep-drawing properties and higher ductility.
Is DC01 the same as CR4?
Cold Reduced steel
Here at GNEE Steel, we stock and process DC01 mild steel (often referred to as CR4), in varying thicknesses from 0.9mm up to 3mm. Each sheet is de-coiled and flattened to strict tolerances in our works, ensuring consistent quality and flatness, every time.
What does DC01 mean?
DC01 represents the basic grade of the DC steel family and is also known under the former designations St12 or FeP01. This grade can be used for simple forming operations such as bending, coining, beading and drawing.
What is the difference between DC01 and DC03?
DC01 – This grade can be used for simple forming work, e.g. bending, embossing, beading and drawing. DC03 – This grade is suitable for forming requirements such as deep drawing and difficult profiling.
What is DC01 steel equivalent to?
Material 1.0330, DC01 steel equivalent to ASTM, ISO, European (German DIN, British BSI, France NF), Japanese JIS and Chinese GB standard (for reference). Note: DIN 1623 has been replaced by DIN EN 10130, and the designation ST12 has been replaced by DC01.
What is the thickness of DC01 material?
Galvanized Steel Sheet - Grade Dc01, Thickness 0.2-3.50mm, Width 914-1250mm | Cold Rolled, Durable Zinc Coating, Long Lasting Toughness.
Is cold-rolled steel better than hot rolled steel?
Cold rolling produces steel with closer dimensional tolerances and a wider range of surface finishes than hot rolling. It is also up to 20% stronger than hot rolled through the use of strength hardening.