What is Cold-Rolled Steel and the DC Series
Cold-rolled steel refers to flat products (sheets or coils) that have been rolled at or near room temperature. This process improves dimensional accuracy, yields smoother surface finish, and results in tighter thickness tolerance - compared with hot-rolled steel.
Within cold-rolled steels, the "DC" series (under the standard EN 10130) represents "drawing quality" steels optimized for cold forming and sheet-metal processing.
Among them, DC01 is the base/general-purpose grade - providing a reliable balance between strength, formability, surface finish and cost. It is widely used for standard forming and manufacturing of sheet-metal parts and components.
Typical Specification of DC01
Here is a typical set of mechanical properties for DC01 (depending on thickness, temper, and mill run).
| Property | Typical Range / Limit (DC01) |
|---|---|
| Yield Strength (Rp0.2 / ReL) | ≤ 280 MPa (gneesteel.com) |
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | 270 – 410 MPa (gneesteel.com) |
| Elongation after break (A80) | ≥ 28% (gneesteel.com) |
| Typical Use / Grade No. | 1.0330, general cold-rolled drawing quality sheet/coil (gneesteel.com) |
Because of the cold rolling and controlled low-carbon composition, DC01 offers good surface finish, stable dimensions, forming performance adequate for many stamping, bending or light forming tasks.
| Quality | Material-No. | Standard | Surface refinement | Classification according to EN10020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC01 | 1.0330 | DIN EN 10130 | +ZE according to DIN EN 10152 | Unalloyed quality steel |
| DC03 | 1.0347 | DIN EN 10130 | +ZE according to DIN EN 10152 | Unalloyed quality steel |
| DC04 | 1.0338 | DIN EN 10130 | +ZE according to DIN EN 10152 | Unalloyed quality steel |
| DC05 | 1.0312 | DIN EN 10130 | +ZE according to DIN EN 10152 | Unalloyed quality steel |
| DC06 | 1.0873 | DIN EN 10130 | +ZE according to DIN EN 10152 | Alloyed quality steel |
| DC07 | 1.0989 | DIN EN 10130 | +ZE according to DIN EN 10152 | Alloyed quality steel |
Advantages of DC01 for Manufacturers
- Balanced mechanical properties: DC01 provides moderate strength and sufficient ductility, enabling general forming, welding, and machining without excessive hardness or brittleness.
- Cost-effective & easy to source: As a general-purpose grade, DC01 is often more economical than higher-drawing grades, making it a good baseline for standard sheet-metal components.
- Surface quality and finish suitability: The cold-rolled surface is smooth and uniform - ideal for painting, coating, galvanizing or other surface treatments.
- Versatility: For projects with moderate forming demands (simple stamping, bending, sheet metal panels, enclosures, housings, etc.), DC01 delivers reliable performance while minimizing complexity.
When DC01 Is the Appropriate Choice
Choose DC01 when:
The forming operations are moderate firmness - such as simple stamping, bending, light pressing, and drawing without extreme deformation.
Cost-efficiency, stable supply, and general-purpose quality matter more than deep-drawing performance.
The part requires a smooth surface ready for coating, painting or galvanizing.
Weldability and general machinability are required, and the design does not demand high-strength structural performance.
GNEE STEEL Recommendation
At GNEE STEEL, DC01 should be offered as a core cold-rolled sheet/coil product - the "workhorse" grade for general sheet-metal fabrication, panel production, light enclosures, housings, simple brackets, shells and other standard formed parts.
For customers whose forming demand is moderate, or whose priority is cost and basic formability, DC01 represents the most efficient and reliable choice.
