Cold-rolled carbon steel sheet

The Complete Guide to Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet for Sheet Metal Fabrication.

Understanding Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet: The Basics

Cold-rolled carbon steel sheet exists because manufacturers want tighter tolerances and more consistent performance. It typically starts with hot-rolled coil, which is pickled to remove mill scale and surface oxides, then cold reduced to the target thickness, and finally annealed to restore ductility and stabilize the material.

Compared with hot-rolled steel, cold-rolled sheet delivers a noticeably smoother surface, better dimensional accuracy, more uniform thickness, and more consistent mechanical properties—making it well suited for demanding processes like stamping and precision bending.

Put simply: hot-rolled steel is “rough-machined,” while cold-rolled steel is “precision-finished.” If appearance and accuracy matter, cold-rolled is usually the better fit.

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Key Characteristics of Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet

Excellent surface quality

Cold-rolled carbon steel sheet has a smooth, scale-free surface, with high surface finish quality (often specified around Ra ≤ 1.6 μm). It provides a solid base for downstream finishing, and can be supplied in different surface conditions such as matte or bright finishes.

Tight dimensional accuracy

Cold-rolled sheet is known for consistent thickness and precise cut dimensions. Thickness tolerance can be held to about ±0.03 mm (depending on gauge and the agreed tolerance class), and flatness is strong—often specified around ≤ 3 mm per meter for sheet flatness requirements.

Strong mechanical performance

Compared with hot-rolled material, cold-rolled steel generally delivers higher yield/tensile strength thanks to the cold-working effect, while still maintaining good ductility.
Typical elongation for common cold-rolled grades used in forming can be ~28% and up to ~40%+, depending on the grade and condition—supporting stamping, bending, and forming work.
It also welds well and is compatible with standard welding processes.

Strong cost effectiveness

Versus stainless steel or aluminum alloys, cold-rolled carbon steel typically offers a clear cost advantage and good manufacturability—helping keep total fabrication cost under control. With a wide range of finishing options available, it can also meet many corrosion-protection requirements.

Standards

Cold-rolled carbon steel sheet is governed by a well-established global standards landscape. The most commonly referenced systems include:

  • China: GB/T 5213; Baosteel enterprise standards such as Q/BQB 408 and Q/BQB 402
  • Japan: JIS G3141 (SPCC, SPCD, SPCE series)
  • United States: ASTM A1008/A1008M (CS, DS, DDS, EDDS series)
  • Europe: EN 10130 (DC01, DC03, DC04, DC06 series)
  • Germany: DIN 1623 (St12, St13, St14 series)

Grades across these systems can be cross-referenced through equivalency tables, which helps keep material specifications portable for international sourcing and multi-region production.

Standards Framework

Cold-rolled carbon steel sheet is specified under different national and regional standards, each with its own grade naming system. The major systems most commonly used in global sourcing include China (GB/T), Japan (JIS), the United States (ASTM), Europe (EN), and legacy German DIN grades. While grade names differ, they’re often cross-referenced to support international procurement and technical communication.

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International Grade Cross-Reference Table

Cold-rolled carbon steel grades are named differently across standards, but the equivalency relationships are widely used as a practical reference for global sourcing and engineering discussions.

Application class Japan (JIS G3141) China (GB/T) Europe (EN 10130) Germany (DIN 1623) U.S. (ASTM A1008)
Commercial quality (CQ) SPCC DC01 / Q195 DC01 St12 CS Type A/B/C
Drawing quality (DQ) SPCD DC03 DC03 St13 DS Type A/B
Deep drawing quality (DDQ) SPCE DC04 DC04 St14 DDS
Extra deep drawing quality (EDDQ) SPCF DC05 DC05 St15 EDDS
Super extra deep drawing quality (SEDDQ) SPCG DC06 DC06 St16 EDDS

Notes

  • CQ = Commercial Quality
  • DQ = Drawing Quality
  • DDQ = Deep Drawing Quality
  • EDDQ = Extra Deep Drawing Quality

How to choose the right grade for sheet metal fabrication

Choose based on the forming process

Process Recommended grades Why it’s a good fit
Simple bending, punching SPCC / DC01 Cost-effective and sufficient for general forming needs.
Moderate bending, light drawing SPCD / DC03 Better ductility, lower risk of cracking during forming.
Deep drawing, complex forming SPCE / DC04 Strong deep-draw performance, typically with higher r-values for drawability.
Ultra-deep drawing, very complex parts SPCG / DC06 Often associated with interstitial-free (IF) steel practice—best-in-class formability for demanding draws.

Choose based on the end-use application

Application Recommended grades Typical products
Electrical enclosures, chassis SPCC / SECC PC cases, electrical distribution boxes
Automotive outer panels (doors, hoods) SPCE / DC04 / O5-grade Passenger-car exterior panels
Appliance panels SPCD / DC03 Refrigerator door panels, washing machine panels
Oil pans, deep-drawn components SPCE / DC06 Automotive oil pans, filter housings
General structural parts SPCC Brackets, reinforcement plates
High-strength structural parts HSLAS series (grade per spec) Automotive structural parts

Note: If you’re not sure which grade fits your design and forming route, reach out to SR MFG—our engineers can help you choose the most suitable material and specification.

Key Specifications for Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet

Chemical Composition

The chemical makeup of cold-rolled carbon steel sheet has a direct impact on both mechanical properties and formability, so each grade is controlled within specified composition limits.

Typical Chemical Composition Limits (by Grade)

Grade C (%) Mn (%) P (%) S (%) Al (%) Si (%)
SPCC / DC01 ≤0.15 ≤0.60 ≤0.035 ≤0.025 ≤0.05
SPCD / DC03 ≤0.10 ≤0.50 ≤0.030 ≤0.025 ≥0.015 ≤0.05
SPCE / DC04 ≤0.08 ≤0.45 ≤0.025 ≤0.020 ≥0.015 ≤0.05
SPCF / DC05 ≤0.06 ≤0.45 ≤0.025 ≤0.020 ≥0.020 ≤0.05
SPCG / DC06 ≤0.02 ≤0.25 ≤0.020 ≤0.020 ≤0.05
CS Type B 0.02–0.15 ≤0.60 ≤0.030 ≤0.035
DS Type B ≤0.06 ≤0.50 ≤0.030 ≤0.035
DDS ≤0.06 ≤0.50 ≤0.020 ≤0.030
EDDS ≤0.04 ≤0.40 ≤0.020 ≤0.025

How composition affects performance (what the elements do)

  • Carbon (C): Lower carbon generally improves ductility and drawability. For example, SPCG (DC06) is often specified with very low carbon (≤0.02%), making it well suited for ultra-deep drawing applications.
  • Manganese (Mn): Helps increase strength and toughness, but excessive Mn can reduce formability.
  • Phosphorus (P) & Sulfur (S): Typically treated as harmful impurities—the lower, the better. Higher levels can increase brittleness (cold brittleness and hot shortness).
  • Aluminum (Al): Commonly used as a deoxidizer to improve steel cleanliness and ductility. It can also help suppress strain aging, reducing the risk of property shifts after forming.

Mechanical Properties

Typical Mechanical Property Reference (ASTM A1008)

Grade Yield Strength (MPa) Tensile Strength (MPa) Elongation (%) Notes
CS Type B (SPCC) 140–275 ≥270 28–40 General-purpose; moderate strength
DS Type B (SPCD) 140–240 ≥270 30–42 Drawing grade; better ductility
DDS (SPCE) 115–200 ≥270 38–42 Deep drawing; higher r-value
EDDS (SPCG) 105–170 ≥270 ≥40 Extra-deep drawing; higher n-value
SS Grade 36 ≥250 360 20–28 Structural use; higher strength
HSLAS Grade 50 ≥345 ≥450 ≥22 High-strength low-alloy steel

ASTM A1008 is a common reference for cold-rolled sheet and includes requirements related to yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation testing.

Elongation by Thickness (SPCC Reference)

Nominal thickness (mm) 0.25–0.30 0.30–0.40 0.40–0.60 0.60–1.0 1.0–1.6 ≥1.6
Elongation (%) 25 28 31 34 36 37

What These Properties Mean

  • Yield strength: The stress at which the material begins permanent (plastic) deformation. In general, lower yield strength forms more easily.
  • Tensile strength: The maximum stress the material can withstand before fracture—an overall indicator of strength.
  • Elongation: How much the material can stretch before breaking. Higher elongation generally means better formability; deep-drawn parts often target ≥40%.
  • r-value (plastic strain ratio / Lankford coefficient): A measure of through-thickness thinning resistance during forming—higher r typically indicates better deep-draw performance.
  • n-value (strain hardening exponent): Indicates how well the material can deform uniformly—higher n generally supports better stretch formability and reduces localized thinning.

Dimensional Specifications

General Size Range

Parameter Range Common sizes Notes
Thickness 0.12–3.50 mm 0.5 / 0.8 / 1.0 / 1.2 / 1.5 / 2.0 mm Below 0.3 mm typically requires custom sourcing
Width 400–1850 mm 1000 / 1219 / 1250 / 1500 mm Custom widths available per request
Sheet length 1000–6000 mm 2000 / 2438 / 3000 mm 2438 mm = 8 ft
Coil weight 3–20 tons 5–15 tons Custom coil weights available
Coil ID 508 mm / 610 mm 508 mm Standard inner diameter

Thickness Selection Guidelines

Application Recommended thickness (mm) Why
Appliance housings 0.5–0.8 Lightweight while meeting strength needs
PC chassis / enclosures 0.6–1.0 Good balance of stiffness and cost
Automotive door panels 0.7–0.8 Supports deep draw requirements and surface quality
Automotive oil pans 1.5–2.0 Thicker wall for higher strength
Structural parts 1.5–3.0 Higher stiffness for load-bearing use

Dimensional Specifications

Thickness Tolerance Standard

Thickness range Standard precision (PL.A) Higher precision (PL.B) Typical use
0.3–0.4 mm ±0.04 mm ±0.03 mm Precision stamped parts
0.4–0.6 mm ±0.05 mm ±0.04 mm Appliance panels
0.6–1.0 mm ±0.06 mm ±0.05 mm General structural parts
1.0–2.0 mm ±0.08 mm ±0.06 mm Thicker-gauge parts
2.0–3.5 mm ±0.10 mm ±0.08 mm Structural sheet

Width Tolerance

Edge condition Width range Permissible deviation Notes
Slit edge (EC) <1200 mm 0 to +3 mm Higher precision
Slit edge (EC) 1200–1500 mm 0 to +4 mm Higher precision
Slit edge (EC) >1500 mm 0 to +5 mm Higher precision
Mill edge (EM) 730–1850 mm 0 to +8 mm Standard precision

Length Tolerance (Sheets)

Nominal length L Standard precision (PL.A) Higher precision (PL.B)
≤2000 mm 0 to +6 mm 0 to +3 mm
>2000 mm 0 to +0.003L 0 to +0.0015L

Flatness Requirement

Flatness class Flatness per meter Typical use
Standard (PF.A) ≤5 mm/m General structural parts
Higher precision (PF.B) ≤3 mm/m Appliance housings, automotive parts

Hardness Grades

Cold-rolled carbon steel sheet is commonly supplied in different temper (hardness) conditions depending on the annealing and temper-rolling route.

Temper grade HRB HV Characteristics Typical applications
1/8 Hard (8) 50–71 95–130 Relatively soft; suitable for light forming Simple bent parts
1/4 Hard (4) 65–80 115–150 Medium hardness with decent formability General stamped parts
1/2 Hard (2) 74–89 135–185 Harder with higher strength Structural parts
Hard (1) ≥85 ≥170 High hardness; limited formability High-strength structural parts
Annealed (S) 85–110 Soft condition; best ductility Deep-drawn parts
Full Hard (FH) HRB ≥ 90 HV ≥ 185 Full hard; typically requires re-annealing for forming Used for further rolling / as a substrate (e.g., for coated products)

How to choose a hardness/temper

  • For deep drawing, use the Annealed (S) condition.
  • For general stamping, 1/4 Hard is often a practical choice.
  • For structural parts, consider 1/2 Hard or Hard depending on forming needs.
  • Full Hard material is typically selected as a base for downstream processing (and is generally not intended for forming unless re-annealed).

Surface Quality of Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheets

Surface Finish Classification

Cold-rolled carbon steel sheets are typically classified into three finish levels based on surface quality requirements:

Designation Finish Level Description Typical Applications
FB / O3 Commercial Finish Minor surface imperfections are permitted, provided they do not affect formability or coating adhesion. These may include light scratches, roll marks, shallow dents, minor pitting, or slight discoloration. General structural components, internal parts, equipment frames
FC / O4 Drawing Quality Finish Of the two surfaces, the better side must be free of visible defects to the naked eye. The reverse side must at least meet FB requirements. Appliance housings, automotive interior panels, enclosure exteriors
FD / O5 Exposed Quality Finish Of the two surfaces, the better side must be completely free of defects that could affect the appearance after painting or electroplating. The reverse side must at least meet FB requirements. Automotive exterior panels (doors, hoods, trunk lids), high-end appliance panels

Finish Selection Guidelines:

  • O3 (FB): Suitable for structural components, internal equipment parts, or parts that will undergo powder coating or painting in subsequent processes where surface appearance is not critical.
  • O4 (FC): Recommended for parts with moderate appearance requirements, such as appliance casings, automotive interior trim, and visible cabinet surfaces.
  • O5 (FD): Required for automotive exterior panels with high appearance standards. In China, only a limited number of steel mills can consistently produce stable O5-grade material, including Shougang Cold Rolling, HBIS Handan, and Shougang Jingtang.

Surface Condition

Code Surface Type Roll Treatment Appearance Typical Applications
D Matte Finish Shot-blasted rolls Uniform, fine-textured matte surface Appliance panels, automotive outer panels
B Bright Finish Ground and polished rolls Smooth, bright surface with high reflectivity Precision components, electroplating substrates
Standard Finish Standard rolls Conventional mill finish General-purpose applications

Recommended Surface Combinations (for reference; final selection should be based on actual application requirements):

  • Appliance exterior parts: D surface + FC/FD grade
  • Automotive outer panels: D surface + FD grade
  • General structural parts: Standard surface + FB grade
  • Electroplating substrate: B surface + FC grade

Surface Roughness

Surface roughness is a critical parameter in evaluating sheet metal surface quality, as it directly affects subsequent surface treatment performance.

Application Recommended Ra Inspection Method
Cold-rolled substrate ≤ 1.6 μm Surface roughness tester
Deep drawing grade (DC04 and above) ≤ 0.8 μm Surface roughness tester
O5 automotive panels ≤ 0.6 μm Surface roughness tester
Laser-cut edge ≤ 12.5 μm Surface roughness tester
Bent surface ≤ 6.3 μm Surface roughness tester

Impact of Improper Surface Roughness on Subsequent Processing

  • Excessive roughness: May cause orange peel or sagging during powder coating and can reduce plating adhesion.
  • Insufficient roughness: Can lead to poor coating adhesion and potential peeling.
  • Rough laser-cut edges: May negatively affect appearance and create localized stress concentrations.

Surface Defect Control

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Permissible Surface Defects (FB Grade)

Minor scratches: Depth ≤ 0.02 mm, not concentrated
Minor indentations: Diameter ≤ 2 mm, randomly dispersed
Light pitting: Not dense, no impact on visual appearance
Minor roll marks: Width ≤ 1 mm, non-continuous
Slight oxidation discoloration: Light and removable

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Non-Permissible Surface Defects

Cracks: Not permitted at any length
Deep scratches: Depth > 0.02 mm
Severe dents: Depth > 0.1 mm
Edge burrs: Height > 0.1 mm
Rust spots or scale: Not permitted under any circumstances

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Surface Defect Inspection Methods

Visual inspection: 100% appearance check
Tactile inspection: Manual check to detect scratches and indentations
Angled lighting inspection: Observation under 45° lighting to reveal surface defects

Compatibility with Sheet Metal Fabrication Processes

Forming Processes

Cold-rolled carbon steel offers excellent formability, making it suitable for components with varying levels of geometric complexity.

Bending

Bending is one of the most widely used sheet metal operations, and cold-rolled steel performs reliably in press brake forming.

Parameter Recommended Value Notes
Minimum bend radius ≥ 1.0t (t = sheet thickness) Too small a radius can cause cracking.
Minimum flange length ≥ 1.5t + bend radius If the flange is too short, clamping becomes difficult and bending may fail.
Springback compensation 1–3° Adjust based on material grade and bend angle.
V-die opening (V-width) 6–10 × sheet thickness Select die size based on sheet thickness.

Stamping

Cold-rolled steel sheet is one of the most suitable materials for stamping. Select the appropriate grade based on product complexity, then apply the required stamping operations.

Stamping Type Recommended Grade Key Parameters
Simple blanking SPCC / DC01 Blanking clearance: 0.05–0.08t
General forming SPCD / DC03 Draw ratio ≥ 0.7
Deep drawing SPCE / DC04 Draw ratio ≥ 0.6
Extra-deep drawing SPCG / DC06 Draw ratio ≥ 0.55

Welding Processes

Cold-rolled carbon steel sheet offers good weldability and supports a variety of welding methods, as shown below.

Welding Method Suitability Weld Quality Typical Applications
GTAW (TIG) Very good Clean, attractive welds; minimal distortion Precision parts, appearance-critical parts
CO₂ shielded welding Good High efficiency, low cost Structural parts, mass production
Spot welding Good Ideal for lap joints on thin sheet Automotive bodies, home appliances
Laser welding Excellent High precision, small heat-affected zone Precision components
MIG welding Very good High welding speed Medium-thickness sheet

Common Welding Issues and Fixes

Issue Cause Solution
Porosity Insufficient shielding gas flow; oil/contamination on surface Increase shielding gas flow; clean the joint area
Undercut Current too high; travel speed too fast Reduce current; slow down travel speed
Hot cracking Carbon content too high; cooling too fast Use low-carbon steel; control the cooling rate
Excessive distortion Poor weld sequence; too much heat input Optimize weld sequence; use skip/segment welding

Surface Finishing Processes

Cold-rolled carbon steel sheet does have a downside: its corrosion resistance isn’t very strong. In most cases, a surface treatment is needed to extend service life.

Phosphate Coating

Parameter Requirement
Coating thickness 2–5 μm
Appearance Uniform gray film
Adhesion Cross-hatch test: Class 1
Corrosion resistance Neutral salt spray ≥ 24 hours

Electrostatic Powder Coating

Parameter Requirement
Coating thickness 60–120 μm
Appearance No runs/sags, no pinholes, no orange peel
Hardness HV ≥ 400
Corrosion resistance Neutral salt spray ≥ 72 hours
Adhesion Cross-hatch test: Class 1

E-Coating (Electrophoretic Deposition)

Parameter Requirement
Coating thickness 15–30 μm
Appearance Uniform and smooth
Hardness Better than powder coating
Corrosion resistance Neutral salt spray ≥ 240 hours

Electro-Galvanizing

Parameter Requirement
Coating thickness 5–10 μm
Appearance Uniform silver-gray finish
Corrosion resistance Neutral salt spray ≥ 48 hours
Electrical conductivity Excellent

Hot-Dip Galvanizing (SGCC)

Parameter Requirement
Coating thickness 8–15 μm
Appearance Spangle pattern or bright silver finish
Corrosion resistance Neutral salt spray ≥ 96 hours

Quick Guide for Choosing a Surface Finish

Industry Application Examples for Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet

Home Appliance Industry

Product Recommended Material Thickness Range Surface Finish Key Requirements
Refrigerator door panel SPCC / DC03 0.5–0.6 mm Powder coating / pre-painted High surface quality; good flatness
Refrigerator side panel SECC / SGCC 0.5–0.8 mm Powder coating Strong corrosion resistance
Washing machine inner tub SPCD / SECC 0.8–1.2 mm Galvanizing + plastic coating Good deep-draw performance
Washing machine cabinet SPCC / SGCC 0.8–1.0 mm Powder coating Good appearance
Air conditioner housing SPCC / SGCC 0.8–1.5 mm Powder coating Corrosion protection + appearance
Microwave oven housing SECC 0.6–0.8 mm Powder coating / as-is Corrosion resistance
PC chassis SECC 0.6–1.0 mm Powder coating / as-is EMI shielding
TV back panel SPCC 0.5–0.8 mm Powder coating Low cost

Automotive Industry

Component Recommended Material Thickness Surface Quality Key Performance Requirements
Inner door panel DC03 / DC04 0.7–1.0 mm FB/FC Deep drawability
Outer door panel DC04 / O5 grade 0.7–0.8 mm FD High surface quality
Hood DC04 / O5 grade 0.8–1.0 mm FD Appearance + dent resistance
Decklid (trunk lid) DC06 0.7–0.9 mm FD Extra-deep drawability
Roof panel DC04 / O5 grade 0.7–0.8 mm FD Flatness over large areas
Outer side panel DC04 / O5 grade 0.7–0.9 mm FD Large-radius / complex curvature forming
Floor pan High-strength steel 1.2–2.0 mm FB High strength
Oil pan DC06 1.5–2.0 mm FB Extra-deep drawability + leak resistance
Seat frame High-strength steel 1.5–3.0 mm FB Strength + safety

Telecom Equipment Industry

Product Recommended Material Thickness Surface Finish Key Requirements
Server cabinet SPCC / SGCC 1.5–2.5 mm Powder coating Strength + corrosion resistance
Power distribution cabinet SGCC 1.2–2.0 mm Powder coating Corrosion resistance + safety
Network cabinet SPCC / SGCC 1.0–2.0 mm Powder coating Strength + appearance
Battery cabinet SGCC 1.5–2.5 mm Heavy-duty powder coating High corrosion resistance
Outdoor base station SGCC 2.0–3.0 mm Heavy-duty powder coating Weather resistance
Equipment frame SPCC 1.0–1.5 mm Phosphate + powder coating Strength + cost

Building and Architectural Applications

Product Recommended Material Thickness Surface Finish Key Requirements
Metal ceiling panels SPCC 0.5–0.8 mm Powder coating / pre-painted Flatness + appearance
Curtain wall panels SPCC / SGCC 1.0–2.5 mm Powder coating / fluorocarbon coating Weather resistance
Metal partitions SPCC 0.8–1.2 mm Powder coating Appearance + strength
Railings and handrails SPCC / SGCC 1.5–2.5 mm Powder coating / galvanizing Safety + corrosion resistance

Hardware and Metal Products

Product Recommended Material Thickness Surface Finish Key Requirements
Toolbox SPCC / SECC 0.8–1.5 mm Powder coating / electro-galvanizing Flatness + appearance
Metal enclosure/case SECC / SGCC 0.8–1.2 mm Electro-galvanizing Weather resistance
Filing cabinet SECC 0.6–1.0 mm Powder coating Appearance + strength
Shelving SPCC / SGCC 1.0–2.0 mm Powder coating Safety + corrosion resistance
Hardware parts SPCC 0.5–1.5 mm Electro-galvanizing Precision + corrosion resistance

Cost Breakdown for Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet

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Material Costs

  • 1

    Raw materials: 60–70% of total cost

  • 2

    Pricing is heavily affected by fluctuations in steel billet and hot-rolled coil prices

  • 3

    Typical grade pricing trend: SPCC < SPCD < SPCE

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Processing Costs

  • 1

    Cold rolling: 10–15%

  • 2

    Annealing, temper rolling (skin-pass), and oiling: 5–10%

  • 3

    Cut-to-length and slitting: 3–5%

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Packaging and Transportation

  • 1

    Packaging: 2–3%

  • 2

    Domestic transportation: 1–2%

  • 3

    Ocean freight: Not included in FOB pricing; included in CIF pricing

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Overhead and Profit

  • 1

    Administrative overhead: 3–5%

  • 2

    Financing costs: 2–3%

  • 3

    Profit margin: 5–10%

Key Factors That Affect Pricing

Factor Impact Level Notes
Raw material prices High Driven by swings in iron ore and coke prices
Market supply and demand Moderate Prices typically rise during peak seasons

Cold-Rolled Carbon Steel Sheet FAQs 

SPCC is a grade defined under the Japanese JIS standard, while DC01 is defined under the European EN standard. Both are general-purpose cold-rolled low-carbon steel sheets with very similar chemistry and mechanical properties. In most real-world applications they can be used interchangeably, but you should confirm which standard system the customer requires.

Choose based on how demanding the forming operation is:

  • SPCC: Simple bending and punching; general structural parts
  • SPCD: Moderate stamping and bending
  • SPCE: Deep-drawn parts, such as oil pans and filter housings

The main differences are:

  • Surface finish: Cold-rolled sheet is smooth and typically free of scale; hot-rolled sheet usually has mill scale.
  • Dimensional accuracy: Cold-rolled sheet has tighter tolerances and higher precision; hot-rolled sheet has looser tolerances.
  • Mechanical properties: Cold-rolled sheet generally has higher strength but slightly lower ductility; hot-rolled sheet is typically more ductile with lower strength.
  • Cost: Cold-rolled sheet is usually 10–20% more expensive than hot-rolled sheet.

Stretcher-strain marks are an “orange-peel”-like surface defect that can show up during stretching or deep drawing, caused by Lüders bands forming on the surface.

  • SPCC: not guaranteed
  • SPCD: guaranteed not to appear within 3 months after production
  • SPCE: guaranteed not to appear within 6 months after production
    For appearance-critical parts, use non-aging steel (SPCE).

Yes. Cold-rolled steel doesn’t contain corrosion-resistant alloying elements, so it can rust easily in humid environments. That’s why surface treatments (phosphating, powder coating, electroplating, etc.) are commonly used to improve corrosion resistance.

Common causes include:

  • Bend radius is too small (should be ≥ 1.0t)
  • Material grade is too low (use SPCD or SPCE)
  • Material defects (cracks, inclusions)
  • Bend line is parallel to the rolling direction (use 45° or 90° to the rolling direction)

Try the following:

  • Use deep-drawing grades such as SPCE/DC06
  • Optimize binder (blank-holder) force—too little force makes wrinkling more likely
  • Check die surface finish/roughness
  • Optimize the draw ratio

Typical controls include:

  • Use a logical weld sequence: weld short seams first, then longer seams
  • Use symmetrical welding to reduce distortion
  • Perform post-weld stress-relief annealing (≤ 200°C)
  • Use fixtures/clamps to hold parts in place
  • Apply a phosphate conversion coating to create a good base layer
  • Thoroughly remove oil, rust, and other contaminants
  • Choose the right coating material and application process
  • Control bake temperature and bake time

Possible causes include:

  • Incorrect cutting parameters (power, speed, focal position)
  • Insufficient assist-gas pressure
  • Dirty optics/lens contamination
  • Dirty material surface
  • FB: Minor scratches, dents, and small pits are allowed
  • FC: The better side has no obvious defects
  • FD: The better side is free of any defects
    Inspect under 45° lighting from a viewing distance of 300–500 mm.
  • Use an ultrasonic thickness gauge or a micrometer
  • Measure at least three points: both ends and the middle
  • Avoid the outer 50 mm near the sheet edges
  • Record the maximum, minimum, and average values

MTC stands for Mill Test Certificate—a mill-issued quality document for each batch. It typically includes:

  • Heat/batch number
  • Grade
  • Chemical composition
  • Mechanical properties
  • Dimensions/specifications
  • Review the MTC and confirm grade and heat number
  • Run a chemical composition test (e.g., spectrometry)
  • Perform mechanical testing (tensile, hardness)
  • Use a third-party lab if needed
  • Use a surface roughness tester
  • Measure 3–5 points evenly across the surface
  • Measure along the rolling direction
  • Record the Ra value

Choose SR MFG as your manufacturing partner

From prototypes to full-scale production, SR MFG makes complex sheet metal projects simple.
With rigorous process control and reliable delivery, we help you reduce rework risk and hidden costs—because quality isn’t a promise, it’s how we build.