SPCC vs DC01 vs DC03 vs DC04: How to Choose the Right CRC Grade
Grade selection guide for cold rolled steel: mechanical property differences between CQ, DQ, DDQ, and EDDQ grades with application matching.
Grade selection guide for cold rolled steel: mechanical property differences between CQ, DQ, DDQ, and EDDQ grades with application matching.
Choosing the right CRC grade is the most important specification decision for sheet metal forming operations. Under-specifying causes cracking and scrap; over-specifying wastes money. This guide provides the data for correct grade selection.
Grade Designation Cross-Reference
| Quality Level | EN 10130 | JIS G3141 | ASTM A1008 | GB/T 5213 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Commercial (CQ) | DC01 | SPCC | CS Type B | DC01 |
| Drawing (DQ) | DC03 | SPCD | DS Type B | DC03 |
| Deep Drawing (DDQ) | DC04 | SPCE | DDS | DC04 |
| Extra Deep (EDDQ) | DC05 | SPCF | EDDS | DC05 |
| Super Deep (SDDQ) | DC06 | SPCG | EDDS+ | DC06 |
Despite different names, these designations are functionally equivalent between standards. DC01 ≈ SPCC ≈ CS Type B.
Mechanical Properties Comparison
| Grade | YS (MPa) | TS (MPa) | Elongation A80 (%) | r-value (min) | n-value (min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC01/SPCC | ≤280 | 270-410 | ≥28 | — | — |
| DC03/SPCD | ≤240 | 270-370 | ≥34 | ≥1.3 | ≥0.18 |
| DC04/SPCE | ≤210 | 270-350 | ≥38 | ≥1.6 | ≥0.20 |
| DC05/SPCF | ≤180 | 270-330 | ≥40 | ≥1.9 | ≥0.22 |
| DC06/SPCG | ≤170 | 270-330 | ≥42 | ≥2.1 | ≥0.22 |
Key indicators: Lower yield strength = easier to form. Higher elongation = more stretch before cracking. Higher r-value = better resistance to thinning during drawing.
Application Matching Guide
- DC01/SPCC (Commercial): Bending, simple forming, roll forming. Brackets, panels, shelving, simple enclosures, ductwork. Where the part has no deep draws or complex 3D shapes.
- DC03/SPCD (Drawing): Moderate drawing depth (up to 1.5× diameter). Simple cups, shallow pans, automotive structural parts, furniture components. The most popular grade for general stamping.
- DC04/SPCE (Deep Drawing): Deep cups (up to 2× diameter), complex automotive panels (fenders, doors), appliance panels with deep embossing. Required when DC03 cracks during forming.
- DC05-DC06 (Extra/Super DDQ): The most complex stampings: automotive body sides, deep cooking pots, complex appliance tubs. Only needed when DC04 cannot produce the part without cracking.
Cost rule: Each grade upgrade costs $20-50/MT more. Only upgrade when the current grade produces unacceptable scrap rates (>3%).
📌 Key Takeaways
- DC01/SPCC is the most common grade — suitable for 60-70% of CRC applications
- DC03/SPCD for moderate drawing — r-value ≥1.3 prevents thinning during stamping
- DC04/SPCE for deep drawing — lower yield (≤210 MPa) and higher elongation (≥38%)
- Each grade upgrade costs $20-50/MT — only upgrade when scrap rate exceeds 3%
Conclusion
Correct grade selection saves both material cost and scrap cost. Start with DC01 and only upgrade to DC03/DC04 when the forming operation demonstrably requires it. Over-specifying wastes money on every coil; under-specifying wastes money on every scrapped part.
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