DC01 is the starting point of the European cold-rolled steel grade family and one of the most heavily traded cold-rolled products in the world. It is a low-carbon steel for cold forming, defined in EN 10130, with the material number 1.0330. In the trade it is still often called St12, its former DIN designation, or CR4, short for cold reduced, and it is the standard substrate for many prepainted and zinc-coated coil products. This article explains the grade, its equivalents, the wider DC family and how to specify it correctly.
What Is DC01 Steel?
DC01 is a cold-rolled quality low-carbon steel flat product intended for cold forming. It can be used for simple forming operations such as bending, coining, beading and light drawing. Its key mechanical properties per EN 10130 are a maximum carbon content of 0.12%, a yield strength range of 140-280 MPa, a tensile strength range of 270-410 MPa and a minimum elongation A80 of 28%. It is supplied in cold-rolled strip, sheet and coil form, with the surface normally oiled to prevent rust during storage and transport.
DC01 Equivalents and Old Designations
The designation St12 was replaced by DC01 when DIN 1623 and DIN 623 were superseded by EN 10130, and the old FeP01 designation in EN 10130:1991 was likewise replaced by DC01. The material number 1.0330 is used for European material certificates. Under JIS G3141 the equivalent grade is SPCC, and under Chinese GB/T 5213 the nearest equivalents are DC01-type cold-rolled grades. The trade name CR4 simply refers to the cold-reduced condition of the same low-carbon material and is commonly used in English-speaking markets for 0.9-3.0 mm DC01 sheet and coil.
| System | Designation | Note |
|---|---|---|
| EN 10130 | DC01 (1.0330) | Current European designation |
| DIN (old) | St12 | Replaced by DC01 |
| EN 10130 (old) | FeP01 | Replaced by DC01 |
| JIS G3141 | SPCC | Commercial quality equivalent |
| Trade | CR4 | Cold reduced, common trade name |
The DC Grade Family: DC01 to DC04
Using DC01 as a Coating or Prepainting Substrate
DC01 is a common substrate for galvanizing and prepainting because its low carbon content and clean cold-rolled surface promote good coating adhesion. On galvanizing lines, the DC family corresponds to the DX series of EN 10346: DC51D is not a valid designation, but the DX51D grade is the coated equivalent of DC-type forming steel, and SGCC under JIS G3302 is the Japanese counterpart. For prepainted coil, the cold-rolled substrate is usually supplied as bright, oiled DC01 or as a galvanized DX51D+Z base before the paint line applies the primer and topcoat.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DC01 steel equivalent to? DC01 has the material number 1.0330 and corresponds to the former St12 and FeP01 designations. Under JIS it is equivalent to SPCC, and under Chinese GB/T 5213 to the corresponding DC01-type cold-rolled grade.
Is DC01 the same as CR4? Yes, in the trade CR4 (cold reduced) is a common name for DC01 mild steel, typically stocked in thicknesses from 0.9 mm up to 3 mm. Both terms describe the same low-carbon cold-rolled material.
What is the difference between DC01 and DC04? DC04 is a deep-drawing grade of the same family with higher formability, suitable for complex deformation, while DC01 is the basic grade for simple bending and forming operations.
Which standard governs DC01? EN 10130 (Cold rolled low carbon steel flat products for cold forming) is the governing European standard. The old DIN standards 1623 and 623 have been replaced by EN 10130.
Can DC01 be used as a substrate for prepainted coil? Yes. DC01 is commonly used as the cold-rolled substrate for painted or galvanized products, while the coated equivalent grades are DX51D+Z under EN 10346 and SGCC under JIS G3302.
What are the key mechanical properties of DC01? Maximum carbon content 0.12%, yield strength 140-280 MPa, tensile strength 270-410 MPa and minimum elongation A80 of 28% per EN 10130.