DC01 steel is one of the most widely used cold rolled low-carbon steels under the European standard DIN EN 10130. Known for its excellent surface quality and stable forming performance, DC01 is commonly applied in automotive parts, home appliances, metal furniture, enclosures, and general fabrication.
Among all technical requirements, chemical composition plays a decisive role in ensuring DC01's formability, weldability, and consistency in international supply chains.
This article provides a clear and authoritative overview of DC01 steel chemical composition according to DIN EN 10130, helping buyers, engineers, and importers better understand and specify this material.
DC01 Steel Standard Overview

Standard: DIN EN 10130
Steel Type: Cold rolled low carbon steel
Delivery Condition: +CR (cold rolled)
Quality Class: Commercial forming steel
DC01 is designed for general cold forming applications where high surface quality and uniform mechanical properties are required, but extreme deep drawing is not necessary.
DC01 Chemical Composition Requirements (EN 10130)
According to DIN EN 10130, the chemical composition of DC01 steel is strictly controlled to guarantee stable forming behavior.
DC01 Steel Chemical Composition (Max %)
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.12 |
| Manganese (Mn) | ≤ 0.60 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.045 |
Key characteristics of this composition:
Low carbon content ensures good ductility and weldability
Controlled manganese improves strength without sacrificing formability
Low phosphorus and sulfur reduce brittleness and improve surface quality
Role of Each Element in DC01 Steel

Carbon (C)
Directly affects strength and hardness
Low carbon ensures:
Easy bending
Smooth stamping
Excellent welding performance
Manganese (Mn)
Enhances tensile strength
Improves resistance to cracking during forming
Maintains structural stability during cold rolling
Phosphorus (P)
Improves strength slightly but reduces ductility if excessive
Strict EN control ensures reliable forming behavior
Sulfur (S)
Improves machinability in small amounts
Low content ensures better toughness and surface finish

Why Chemical Composition Matters in International Trade
In global steel procurement, chemical composition compliance is critical for:
Passing EU conformity checks
Matching forming simulation and tooling design
Ensuring consistency across multiple shipments
Avoiding quality disputes and rejections
Compared with some international equivalents, DC01 has stricter phosphorus control, making it especially suitable for European OEMs and projects requiring EN certification.
DC01 vs Equivalent Grades – Composition Perspective
| Standard | Grade | Carbon (%) | Phosphorus (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| EN 10130 | DC01 | ≤ 0.12 | ≤ 0.045 |
| JIS G 3141 | SPCC | ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.10 |
| ASTM A1008 | CS Type B | ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.030 |
Trade insight:
DC01 offers a balance between formability and consistency
SPCC allows higher phosphorus
ASTM A1008 emphasizes performance-based ordering
Why DC01 Stands Out
Advantages for Fabricators
Superior Surface Quality: Smooth, scale-free surface (Ra≤0.8μm) ideal for painting and plating
Consistent Formability: Reliable performance in cold working operations
Weldability: Excellent for both arc and resistance welding processes
Cost-Effectiveness: The most economical choice for general cold forming applications
When to Upgrade to Higher Grades
For more demanding applications requiring:
Deep drawing: Consider DC03/DC04 (with lower carbon and impurity levels)
Higher strength: Use DC01-C390/C590 variants (with modified composition for increased strength)
GNEE Steel – Reliable DC01 Chemical Control
As an experienced international steel supplier, GNEE Steel strictly controls DC01 chemical composition in accordance with DIN EN 10130, offering:
Full Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1)
Stable chemistry across heats
OEM & ODM processing support
Custom thickness, width, and surface finish
Global export logistics solutions
Our DC01 steel coils and sheets are supplied to Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and South America, meeting the demanding requirements of international buyers.
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.

