DC01 steel is one of the most commonly used cold rolled low-carbon steels under the European standard EN 10130. Because it is widely applied in sheet-metal fabrication and traded internationally, DC01 is frequently substituted with equivalent grades from ASTM, JIS (SPCC), and GB/T standards.
This guide provides a complete, practical explanation of DC01 equivalent materials, covering chemical composition, mechanical properties, standards comparison, and correct substitution practices.
What Is DC01 Steel?
DC01 is a non-alloy cold rolled mild steel designed for general cold forming operations such as:
Bending
Light stamping
Profiling
Cutting and punching
It offers a balance of:
Good surface quality
Moderate strength
Adequate ductility
Excellent weldability
Cost efficiency
⚠ DC01 is not intended for deep drawing. For that purpose, higher grades such as DC03 or DC04 should be selected.
Why DC01 Has Many Global Equivalents
DC01 belongs to a global category known as commercial-quality cold rolled steels.
Different regions define these steels using different standards and naming systems, but the metallurgical intent and application range are the same.
Key shared characteristics:
Low carbon content (≈ 0.12% max)
Cold rolled surface finish
General forming capability
Non-alloy steel
This is why DC01 can be substituted by ASTM, JIS, or GB/T grades in most non-critical applications.
Main DC01 Equivalent Materials by Standard
EN / DIN Standard
EN 10130: DC01
DIN (old): St12
St12 is an older German designation that is still commonly referenced in international trade.
St12 ≈ DC01 in composition and application.
JIS Standard (Japan)
JIS G 3141: SPCC
SPCC is the most widely used DC01 equivalent in Asia.
✔ General forming quality
✔ Cold rolled commercial steel
✔ Same application range as DC01
⚠ Important note:
SPCC ≠ DC04
SPCC corresponds to DC01, not to deep drawing grades.
ASTM Standard (USA)
ASTM A1008: CS Type B
ASTM does not use DC-style grade names. Instead, it classifies cold rolled steels by quality type.
A1008 CS Type B is the closest ASTM equivalent to DC01.
✔ Cold rolled
✔ Commercial quality
✔ General forming
GB / China Standard
GB/T 5213: SPCC
In the Chinese standard system, DC01 is typically supplied as SPCC under GB/T 5213.
In practice:
DC01 (EN) ≈ SPCC (GB/T 5213)
This equivalence is widely accepted in export projects.
ISO Standard
ISO 3574: CR1
CR1 represents cold rolled commercial quality steel, equivalent in use to DC01.
DC01 Equivalent Grades – Summary Table
| Standard | Grade | Equivalent Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| EN 10130 | DC01 | Base grade |
| DIN (old) | St12 | Equivalent |
| JIS G 3141 | SPCC | Equivalent |
| ASTM A1008 | CS Type B | Closest equivalent |
| GB/T 5213 | SPCC | Equivalent |
| ISO 3574 | CR1 | Equivalent |
Chemical Composition Comparison (Typical / Max %)
| Grade | C | Mn | P | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC01 | ≤ 0.12 | ≤ 0.60 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 |
| SPCC (JIS / GB) | ≤ 0.12 | ≤ 0.60 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 |
| St12 | ≤ 0.12 | ≤ 0.60 | ≤ 0.045 | ≤ 0.045 |
| A1008 CS-B | ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.60 | ≤ 0.030 | ≤ 0.035 |
Although exact limits vary slightly, all grades fall into the same low-carbon steel family, ensuring similar forming behavior.
Mechanical Properties Comparison (Typical)
| Property | DC01 | SPCC | A1008 CS-B |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield Strength | ≤ 280 MPa | ~240–280 MPa | ~170–280 MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 270–410 MPa | 270–410 MPa | 270–410 MPa |
| Elongation (A80) | ≥ 28% | ≥ 28% | ≥ 28% |
✔ Overlapping mechanical ranges make substitution feasible for most applications.
Conclusion
DC01 steel is globally equivalent to:
- SPCC (JIS G 3141 / GB/T 5213)
- St12 (DIN – old)
- ASTM A1008 CS Type B
- ISO 3574 CR1
All these materials are cold rolled low-carbon steels for general forming, sharing similar composition, properties, and application ranges.
Correct understanding of these equivalences helps:
Reduce procurement cost
Avoid incorrect grade substitution
Ensure stable forming performance
GNEE Steel also supplies a variety of Cold rolled steel plates, such as DC01,DC03,DC04,DC05,DC06,DC07,SPCC, SPCD,SPCE,SPCF,ST12,ST13,ST14,ST15etc. If you want to know more about other types of steel plates, you can call the consultation hotline at +8615824687445 or send an email to sale@gneegi.com. You are welcome to consult us, and we are very willing to answer your questions.
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.