The DC Grade Family in EN 10130
The DC grades are cold rolled low-carbon steel flat products for cold forming, defined in EN 10130. The designation DC stands for the cold forming product group of the European steel system. The digits that follow mark increasing formability: DC01 is the general forming grade and the family extends through DC03, DC04, DC05, DC06 and DC07 to cover deep drawing, special deep drawing and super deep drawing requirements. The same family is also the standard substrate for the coated products of EN 10346.
DC04: The Deep-Drawing Grade
Grade DC04 is a deep-drawing steel of the DC grade family. It has excellent deep-drawing properties under all types of deformation and is suitable for high forming requirements. Its controlled low carbon content and higher r-value (normal anisotropy) allow the sheet to stretch and flow into complex geometries without thinning excessively, which is why DC04 is a common choice for drawn housings, automotive inner panels and kitchen sink blanks.
DC01 vs DC04: How Formability Differs
DC04 has significantly better formability than DC01. DC04 can withstand complex shaping and deep-drawing processes without cracking, while DC01 is ideal for simple forming processes such as bending, shallow drawing and stamping. In practical terms, a part that requires deep drawing should be specified in DC03 or DC04, while flat panels, brackets and lightly formed parts are more economical in DC01.
DC04 vs DC05 and the Higher Grades
DC04 is suitable for high forming requirements. DC05 is a deep-drawing grade for higher forming requirements. DC06 is a special deep-drawing grade for the highest forming requirements, and DC07 is a super deep-drawing grade for extreme forming requirements such as the most severe automotive body panels. Each step upward lowers the maximum carbon content and raises the guaranteed elongation, which increases cost - so the correct approach is to select the lowest grade in the hierarchy that can still form the part reliably.
What Does "DC Grade Raw Material" Mean in Steel?
In the steel context, a DC grade raw material is a cold rolled low-carbon steel coil or sheet of the EN 10130 DC family, supplied for cold forming operations. The term must not be confused with the pharmaceutical abbreviation DC, which refers to direct-compression excipients for tablet production - a completely unrelated industry. When a steel supplier or drawing mentions DC grade material, it means steel for drawing and forming, and the buyer should verify the exact grade digit (DC01 to DC07) because each digit defines a different formability level.
DC Grades vs SPCC: Two Grade Systems, Similar Position
SPCC is the cold rolled commercial grade of JIS G3141, used for general-purpose panels and stampings. In practice SPCC is broadly comparable to DC01 for simple forming, while buyers who need deep-drawing capability convert to the DC series - DC03, DC04 or higher - or to the JIS drawing grades SPCD and SPCE. When converting between EN and JIS systems, mechanical properties and chemical limits should be confirmed against the applicable standard because the two systems set different tables.
| Grade | Max carbon content | Yield strength (MPa) | Tensile strength (MPa) | Elongation A80 (%) | Forming level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC01 | 0.12 | 140-280 | 270-410 | 28 min | Light forming |
| DC03 | 0.10 | 140-240 | 270-370 | 34 min | Deep drawing |
| DC04 | 0.08 | 140-210 | 270-350 | 38 min | Deep drawing, higher r-value |
| DC05 / DC06 / DC07 | 0.06 / lower | 140-200 and below | 260-350 and below | 40+ min | Special / super deep drawing |
Choosing the Right DC Grade
Start from the drawing of the part. Bending and shallow stamping - DC01. Moderate drawing with visible depth - DC03. Complex drawing, deep cups or exposed surfaces - DC04. Severe deformation, multi-stage drawing - DC05, DC06 or DC07. The table values above are typical for the 0.35-3.0 mm thickness range of EN 10130; the mill certificate for each delivery states the actual guaranteed values for the ordered thickness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What is DC04 material?
DC04 is a deep-drawing steel of the DC grade family defined in EN 10130. It has excellent deep-drawing properties under all types of deformation and is suitable for high forming requirements.
Q2. What is the difference between DC01 and DC04?
DC04 has significantly better formability than DC01. DC04 can withstand complex shaping and deep-drawing without cracking, while DC01 is ideal for simple forming such as bending, shallow drawing and stamping.
Q3. What is the difference between DC04 and DC05?
DC04 is suitable for high forming requirements. DC05 is a deep-drawing grade for higher forming requirements, followed by DC06 for the highest and DC07 for extreme forming requirements.
Q4. What is DC03 steel grade?
DC03 is a mild low-carbon steel for cold forming with excellent deep-drawing capability under all types of deformation. It suits forming requirements such as deep drawing and difficult profiling.
Q5. What does DC grade raw material mean in steel?
It means a cold rolled low-carbon steel of the EN 10130 DC family, supplied for cold forming. It has nothing to do with the pharmaceutical term DC (direct compression) used for tablet excipients.
Q6. How does SPCC compare with the DC grades?
SPCC (JIS G3141) is broadly comparable to DC01 for general forming. For deep drawing, the DC series from DC03 upward, or the JIS grades SPCD and SPCE, provide the required formability.