What is DC03 cold-rolled steel?
DC03 sits one step above DC01 in EN 10130: carbon is limited to 0.10 %, manganese to 0.45 %, phosphorus to 0.035 %, and the steel is aluminium-killed and annealed to a softer, more uniform structure — yield at most 240 MPa (typically 170–210), tensile 270–370, elongation 34 %. Two things distinguish it in the press shop. First, the mill guarantees it non-ageing for six months: the skin-passed sheet will not develop the yield-point elongation that produces stretcher-strain marks on a stretched panel. Second, its plastic strain ratio (r ≈ 1.3) and hardening exponent (n ≈ 0.18) are high enough for shallow drawing, stretch-forming and embossing — trays, pans, appliance panels, door skins with pressed ribs — without the orange-peel and edge splits of DC01. It is still not a deep-drawing grade; that is DC04 and above. Surface B with matt finish is the usual order for parts that will be painted; bright finish for plating.
Chemical composition
| Element | C | Mn | P | S |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| max. % (ladle) | 0.10 | 0.45 | 0.035 | 0.035 |
Typical heat: C 0.03–0.05, Mn 0.20, Al 0.03–0.05 (killed).
Mechanical properties and formability
| Property | Requirement | Typical value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yield strength Rp0.2 | ≤ 240 MPa | 170–210 MPa | |
| Tensile strength Rm | 270–370 MPa | 290–330 MPa | |
| Elongation A80 | ≥ 34 % | 36–42 % | |
| r90 | not specified | ≈ 1.3 | |
| n90 | not specified | ≈ 0.18 | |
| Ageing | non-ageing 6 months | guaranteed |
Equivalent grades
| System | Grade | Note |
|---|---|---|
| DIN 1623 (old) | St 13 | historic German |
| EN 10130 (1991) | Fe P03 | previous edition |
| JIS G3141 | SPCD | |
| ASTM A1008 | DS Type B | |
| GB/T 5213 | DC03 |
Which surface and oiling a drawing grade needs
| Code | Meaning | Ra (µm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | normal surface — minor defects (pores, scratches, slight marks) allowed | — | general fabrication, hidden parts |
| B | best surface — the better side free of defects that impair a uniform paint finish | — | visible painted or plated parts |
| b (bright) | smooth roll finish | ≤ 0.4 | chrome plating, decorative |
| g (semi-bright) | standard finish | 0.4–0.9 (typ. 0.6–1.9) | painting, powder coating |
| m (matt) | shot-blasted rolls | 0.6–1.9 | deep drawing, paint adhesion |
| r (rough) | heavy texture | > 1.6 | special |
| oiling | light rust-preventive oil both sides (standard); dry or heavy oil on request | — |
For a drawing grade the useful line is the roughness, not the code: a matt (m) finish carries lubricant into the die, while a bright (b) roll finish galls. Order "DC03 A m, oiled" unless the part is plated afterwards.
Thickness range and stock sizes
| Thickness | Widths × lengths | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| 0.50–1.0 mm | coil 1 000 / 1 250 mm; sheet to 2 500 | to order 2–3 weeks |
| 1.2–3.0 mm | coil 1 250 / 1 500 mm; sheet to 3 000 | to order 2–3 weeks |
| any | DC04 from stock as substitute | 3–5 days |
Weight per m² and per sheet
| Thickness | kg/m² | 1 000 × 2 000 (kg) | 1 250 × 2 500 (kg) | 1 500 × 3 000 (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 mm | 3.93 | 7.9 | 12.3 | 17.7 |
| 0.6 mm | 4.71 | 9.4 | 14.7 | 21.2 |
| 0.7 mm | 5.50 | 11.0 | 17.2 | 24.7 |
| 0.8 mm | 6.28 | 12.6 | 19.6 | 28.3 |
| 1 mm | 7.85 | 15.7 | 24.5 | 35.3 |
| 1.2 mm | 9.42 | 18.8 | 29.4 | 42.4 |
| 1.5 mm | 11.78 | 23.6 | 36.8 | 53.0 |
| 2 mm | 15.70 | 31.4 | 49.1 | 70.7 |
| 2.5 mm | 19.63 | 39.3 | 61.3 | 88.3 |
| 3 mm | 23.55 | 47.1 | 73.6 | 106.0 |
Uncoated; tolerances to EN 10131.
Forming, welding and painting
Shallow drawing to a ratio of about 1.8, stretch-forming, embossing and beading with polished tools and drawing oil; hems close flat. Spot and projection welding as DC01; MAG on thicker gauges. Paint after degreasing and phosphating; the matt (m) finish is the standard for powder coating and e-coat, bright (b) for chrome or nickel plating. Store dry and use within the non-ageing period for critical visible panels.
Where it is used
- Pressed appliance panels and door skins
- Trays, pans, drip trays and shallow housings
- Embossed and beaded cabinet parts
- Automotive non-structural pressings
- Lighting and luminaire bodies
- Decorative plated parts (bright finish)
DC03 vs DC04
DC04 lowers the yield ceiling to 210 MPa, raises elongation to 38 % and guarantees r90 ≥ 1.6 / n90 ≥ 0.18 for genuine deep drawing — and it is the drawing grade we stock, so it often ships faster and costs only about 10 USD/t more. Order DC03 by name when a specification requires it; otherwise DC04 from stock covers every DC03 job. Below both, DC01 remains the bending grade.
Price
The step from DC01 to DC03 costs roughly 10 USD/t — the mill has to sort the coil to a tighter yield window, not add anything to it. Figures below are this month's indicative FOB Istanbul range for mill-order coil and sheet.
Bands from our weekly export list (September 2026), FOB Istanbul, full-container quantities, excluding freight and certificates. Firm price per project on RFQ within one working day.
Export and packing
DC03 cold-rolled steel is packed as follows: coil eye-to-sky, VCI paper; sheet interleaved on skids. Loading: 20' one coil ≤ 20 t; 40' HC two coils or 24 t sheet. The HS heading depends on the product: 7208 / 7209 / 7210 for carbon strip, 7225 / 7226 where alloyed.
| Term | Detail |
|---|---|
| MOQ | One coil (10–20 t) |
| Incoterms | FOB Istanbul · CIF / CFR Gulf, Africa · DAP EU, Balkans, Iraq, Caucasus · DAP Aktau |
| Lead time | To order 2–3 weeks; DC04 from stock as upward substitute |
| Packing | Coil eye-to-sky, VCI paper; sheet interleaved on skids |
| Container / truck | 20' one coil ≤ 20 t; 40' HC two coils or 24 t sheet |
| Documents | Invoice, packing list, EN 10204 3.1 (3.2 on request), certificate of origin; SASO / SONCAP / PVoC on request |
| Payment | 30% advance, balance against B/L copy; L/C at sight for orders above 100 t |
Certificates and testing
Each coil of DC03 cold-rolled steel carries an EN 10204 3.1 certificate: heat, chemistry, yield, tensile and elongation. Third-party 3.2 inspection is priced per project and booked before slitting. Retained samples are held for six months so that a later claim can be checked against the same coil.
How to order
Specify thickness × width × (length), surface B / finish m or b, oiling, non-ageing, tonnage, and whether DC04 from stock is acceptable.
Standards
- EN 10130:2006 — DC03, 1.0347
- EN 10131 — tolerances
- EN 10204 3.1
- Former DIN 1623 St 13 / EN 10130 Fe P03
Grades
Grade data sheets (chemistry, mechanicals, equivalents) are on our reference site: DC03 · DC01 · DC04
Frequently asked questions
What is DC03 steel?
The drawing-quality cold-rolled sheet of EN 10130 (1.0347, ex St 13): yield ≤ 240 MPa, elongation ≥ 34 %, non-ageing, for pressed and shallow-drawn parts.
What is the difference between DC01 and DC03?
DC03 has lower carbon and phosphorus, a lower yield ceiling (240 vs 280 MPa), higher elongation (34 vs 28 %) and a non-ageing guarantee; DC01 is the bending grade.
What is the equivalent of DC03?
DIN St 13, JIS SPCD, ASTM A1008 DS Type B.
Is DC03 in stock?
It is rolled to order (2–3 weeks); DC04, which exceeds it, is stocked at Dilovası.