Steel DC04
EN DC04
DC04 is the EN 10130 cold-rolled low-carbon deep-drawing steel (former St14 / 1.0338); low-carbon, low-manganese chemistry with recrystallisation annealing gives high r- and n-values, so it takes complex multi-stage drawing without wrinkling or splitting.
Values for the HR condition
DC04 tempers and conditions
DC04 is supplied in 2 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 2 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cold rolled | Standard stocked condition: the deep-drawing sheet itself — pick for multi-stage stampings and drawn shells. | 180 | 310 | 40 | 95 HB | — |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Only for thicknesses above the cold-rolled range; slightly stronger, less ductile and rougher surface than true DC04. | 230 | 350 | 32 | 115 HB | 52 W/m·K |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways DC04 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
ZE | DC04+ZE electrolytically zinc coated | Surface finish |
Galvanized | DC04+Z hot-dip zinc coated | Coating |
What is DC04?
DC04 is the EN 10130 cold-rolled low-carbon deep-drawing steel (former St14 / 1.0338); low-carbon, low-manganese chemistry with recrystallisation annealing gives high r- and n-values, so it takes complex multi-stage drawing without wrinkling or splitting. It is chosen for automotive body and interior stampings, appliance housings, lamp bodies and thin-wall brackets, and is stocked as cold-rolled and hot-rolled sheet, hot-dip galvanized and ZE electro-zinc coil. Strength is low (Rm about 270–350 MPa), it cannot be strengthened by heat treatment, and bare sheet corrodes quickly, so zinc coating, e-coat or paint is mandatory. DC04 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F). DC04 has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
What is DC04 used for?
- Complex automotive stampings
- Appliance housings
- Lighting and lamp bodies
- Deep-drawn enclosures and covers
- Thin-wall brackets
- Electrical cabinet panels
- Drawn cups and shells
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 32%, better than 95% of steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 140 MPa·√m (127.4 ksi·√in), better than 94% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 92/100, better than 93% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of steel grades
Limitations
- Low strength — 230 MPa (33.4 ksi), worse than 97% of steel grades
- Hard to polish — 40/100, worse than 96% of steel grades
DC04 properties
Typical room-temperature values for DC04-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
DC04 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F).
Mechanical16
DC04 has a yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 32% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).
Thermal6
DC04 is rated for continuous service to 400°C (752 °F). It conducts heat at 52 W/m·K (30 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
DC04 conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (8/100), worse than 99% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of DC04 takes about 25 MJ of energy and emits 2.1 kg of CO₂ — less than 82% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 22%.
Manufacturability7
DC04's machinability is good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades); weldability excellent (92/100); formability very good (80/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. DC04 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with DC04
Is DC04 easy to machine?
Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and good lubrication to avoid burrs and built-up edge; deburr blanked edges.
Can DC04 be welded?
Excellent: resistance spot, MAG, laser and brazing all straightforward at very low carbon equivalent; remove zinc fume/coating allowance on coated grades.
Can DC04 be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for severe multi-stage deep drawing (r90 ≥ 1.6, n90 ≥ 0.18); use drawing oil and radii ≥ 3t, mind ~1–2 % strain-ageing/stretcher-strain risk on long-stored non-stabilised coil.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to DC04. Every DC04 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Excellent80 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better92 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
| Minimum bend radius | 1× thickness |
| Spring-back | Moderate |
| Welding processes | MIG, TIG, SPOT, SEAM, LASER, STICK |
DC04 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| CEN 10130 max | ≤ 0.08 | 0.04 |
| Mn | ≤ 0.4 | 0.25 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Sinot specified in EN 10130; typical mill practice, Al-killed | ≤ 0.05 | 0.02 |
| AlAl-killed, total Al typical | 0.02 – 0.07 | 0.04 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on DC04?
Standard route is zinc phosphate + cathodic e-coat or powder paint; hot-dip/electro-galvanised, prepainted and Zn-Ni options available — bare sheet must never be left unprotected.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel DC04 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 10130 DC04
- Trade names
- SPCD
How much does DC04 cost?
DC04 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
DC04 — frequently asked
What is DC04 used for?
DC04 is typically used for complex automotive stampings, appliance housings, lighting and lamp bodies, deep-drawn enclosures and covers, thin-wall brackets and electrical cabinet panels. In short: superior deep-draw quality.
What is the yield strength of DC04?
DC04 has a typical yield strength of 230 MPa (33.4 ksi) and a tensile strength of 350 MPa (50.8 ksi) — weaker than 97% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 2 listed tempers.
Is DC04 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (60/100, better than 83% of steel grades). Soft and gummy — use sharp positive-rake tools, high speed and good lubrication to avoid burrs and built-up edge; deburr blanked edges.
Can DC04 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (92/100). Excellent: resistance spot, MAG, laser and brazing all straightforward at very low carbon equivalent; remove zinc fume/coating allowance on coated grades.
What surface finishes work on DC04?
Standard route is zinc phosphate + cathodic e-coat or powder paint; hot-dip/electro-galvanised, prepainted and Zn-Ni options available — bare sheet must never be left unprotected.
Can DC04 be formed, bent or molded?
Designed for severe multi-stage deep drawing (r90 ≥ 1.6, n90 ≥ 0.18); use drawing oil and radii ≥ 3t, mind ~1–2 % strain-ageing/stretcher-strain risk on long-stored non-stabilised coil.
What is the maximum service temperature of DC04?
DC04 is rated for continuous use to about 400°C (752 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between DC04-HR and DC04-CR?
HR is the default condition — only for thicknesses above the cold-rolled range; slightly stronger, less ductile and rougher surface than true DC04. CR: standard stocked condition: the deep-drawing sheet itself — pick for multi-stage stampings and drawn shells. Yield strength is 230 MPa in HR versus 180 MPa in CR.
How much does DC04 cost?
DC04 is a budget-cost steel ($), cheaper than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in DC04?
Yes — DC04 is available for sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- EN 10130 — Cold rolled low carbon steel flat products for cold forming — CEN (2006)
- EN 10346 — Continuously hot-dip coated steel flat products for cold forming — CEN (2015)
- EN 10152 — Electrolytically zinc coated cold rolled steel flat products — CEN (2017)
- ASTM A1008/A1008M — Steel Sheet, Cold-Rolled, Carbon, Structural, HSLA, DS/DDS — ASTM (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
- Cold rolled mild steel DC01–DC06 datasheet — ArcelorMittal / ThyssenKrupp Steel (2023)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.