Steel DC04 · supply condition · default condition
Steel DC04-HR
Properties of the HR condition, compared with the other DC04 tempers.
Only for thicknesses above the cold-rolled range; slightly stronger, less ductile and rougher surface than true DC04.
What is DC04-HR?
DC04-HR is DC04 supplied in the HR condition — only for thicknesses above the cold-rolled range; slightly stronger, less ductile and rougher surface than true DC04. DC04-HR 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). DC04-HR 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).
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 55 W/m·K (31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of steel grades
- Readily welded — 95/100, better than 97% of steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 32%, better than 95% of steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 92% of steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% 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-HR properties
Typical room-temperature values for DC04-HR — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every DC04 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
DC04-HR 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).
Mechanical13
DC04-HR 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-HR is rated for continuous service to 350°C (662 °F). It conducts heat at 55 W/m·K (31.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
DC04-HR conducts electricity at 10.5 % IACS, better than 89% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (10/100), worse than 87% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of DC04-HR 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-HR's machinability is good (55/100, better than 62% of steel grades); weldability excellent (95/100); 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.
Other DC04 tempers and conditions
DC04 is also supplied in 3 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the DC04 overview.
- HRDefaultOnly for thicknesses above the cold-rolled range; slightly stronger, less ductile and rougher surface than true DC04.230 MPa yield · 115 HB
- GalvanizedChoose when the drawn part must survive humidity or outdoor exposure without full paint systems.190 MPa yield · 100 HB
- ZEThin, very uniform zinc layer that keeps class-A surface and full drawability — best for visible painted panels.185 MPa yield · 96 HB
- CRStandard stocked condition: the deep-drawing sheet itself — pick for multi-stage stampings and drawn shells.180 MPa yield · 95 HB
Working with DC04-HR
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.
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.
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 | — |
DC04-HR — frequently asked
What is DC04-HR used for?
DC04-HR 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-HR?
DC04-HR 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 4 listed tempers.
Is DC04-HR easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, better than 62% 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-HR be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (95/100). 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-HR?
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-HR 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-HR?
DC04-HR is rated for continuous use to about 350°C (662 °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.
Can FabDigit make parts in DC04-HR?
Yes — DC04-HR is available for sheet metal with instant online pricing. 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.