What is DC03EK Enameling Steel?
If you need enhanced deep drawing performance together with reliable vitreous enamel coating, DC03EK is the grade you should consider.
DC03EK is a cold-rolled low carbon steel designed for traditional enamel processes (EK suffix). With stamping level 03 (drawing quality), it provides lower yield strength, higher elongation, and tighter phosphorus/sulfur limits compared to DC01EK, ensuring excellent enamel adhesion and reduced fish-scale defects.
When you use DC03EK, you benefit from improved formability for complex parts, consistent surface quality after firing, and fewer rejects due to blistering or poor adhesion.
Typical applications include sanitary ware, oven cavities, water heater tanks, and decorative enamel panels. If you need both deep drawability and a flawless enamel finish, DC03EK gives you a reliable foundation.
According to GB/T 13790—2025 Cold rolled low carbon steel sheet and strip for vitreous enamelling Supersedes GB/T 13790—2008 / GB/T 29515—2013
Technical Data Sheet — Grade DC03EK (Traditional Enameling Process / Drawing Quality)
📌 Designation System Clause 4.2
DC03EK consists of four parts:
- D — Steel flat product for cold forming
- C — Cold rolled condition
- 03 — Stamping level: Drawing quality (Level 03)
- EK — Enamelling type: Suitable for traditional enameling process
📖 Note: "ED" suffix indicates direct-on enameling process (also suitable for traditional), while DC03EK uses "EK" for traditional enameling with enhanced drawability.
📊 DC03EK vs Other Enameling Grades – Why Choose DC03EK?
1️⃣ vs DC01EK
DC01EK: General purpose stamping
DC03EK: Drawing quality – lower yield strength, higher elongation
P/S limits: 0.025/0.030 vs 0.045/0.045 – better enamel adhesion
2️⃣ vs DC04EK
DC04EK: Extra deep drawing (C ≤0.06%)
DC03EK: Cost-effective deep drawing for medium-complex parts
Both offer excellent anti-fishscale (TH ≥6.7)
3️⃣ Key Advantages
- Higher elongation (≥34% for t>0.70mm)
- Lower P/S for enamel quality
- 6-month stretcher strain free (FC/FD)
- Hydrogen permeation validated
💡 Key takeaway: DC03EK delivers the ideal balance between formability and enamel performance. Upgrade from DC01EK when deeper draws are needed, or choose DC03EK over DC04EK for a cost-effective solution with excellent enamel adhesion.
🏺 Enameling Performance
🎯 Designed for
- Traditional two-coat enameling
- Deep-drawn enamel components
- Reduced fish-scale & blistering
✨ Key Characteristics
- Excellent enamel adhesion
- Proven fish-scale resistance
- Superior deep drawing capability
- Low carbon + low P/S for surface quality
⚙️ What makes DC03EK a reliable enameling steel? Its optimized low-carbon chemistry and tighter P/S limits deliver consistent surface quality. The hydrogen permeation test validates fish scale resistance, while the higher elongation (up to 34%) ensures complex shapes without cracking.
⚙️ Chemical Composition Clause 7.1 – Table 5 (Ladle analysis)
| Grade | C (%) | Mn (%) | P (%) | S (%) | Als (%) | Ti (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC03EK | ≤0.07 | ≤0.50 | ≤0.025 | ≤0.030 | ≥0.010 | — |
🔬 Permissible deviations for product analysis according to GB/T 222 (Clause 7.1.2). Lower P and S enhance enamel adhesion.
📊 Mechanical Properties Clause 7.2 – Table 6
✅ Guarantee period: 6 months from manufacture date (7.2.1).
⚠️ Aging effect: yield & tensile strength may increase over time, elongation decreases – recommend early use (7.2.2).
⚠️ Aging effect: yield & tensile strength may increase over time, elongation decreases – recommend early use (7.2.2).
| Grade | ReL (MPa) ≤0.50mm |
ReL (MPa) >0.50~0.70 |
ReL (MPa) >0.70mm |
Rm (MPa) | A80mm (%) ≤0.50mm |
A80mm (%) >0.50~0.70 |
A80mm (%) >0.70mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC03EK | ≤280 | ≤260 | ≤240 | 270–370 | ≥30 | ≥32 | ≥34 |
📐 When yield phenomenon not obvious, use Rp0.2. 🔧 Lower yield strength limit of 140 MPa negotiable. 🧪 P6 transverse specimen.
📏 Stretcher Strain Clause 7.3 – Table 7
| Grade | Stretcher strain requirements |
|---|---|
| DC03EK (and DC01EK, DC04EK, DC05EK, DC03ED, DC04ED) | ✔️ For surface quality levels FC and FD, under room temperature storage, no stretcher strains within 6 months from manufacture date. |
| DC06EK, DC07EK, DC06ED | No stretcher strains shall appear under room temperature storage. |
📋 Enamelability Requirements Clauses 7.1.2 – 7.4.3
- 7.1.2 – Permissible deviations for product chemical analysis shall comply with GB/T 222.
- 7.2.1 – Mechanical properties guaranteed for 6 months from manufacture date as per Table 6.
- 7.2.2 – Due to aging effects, properties may change over time; early use is recommended.
- 7.3.1 – Skin-passing is applied, but stretcher strain tendency may reappear; recommend prompt use.
- 7.3.2 / Table 7 – For surface quality FC/FD, no stretcher strains within 6 months under room temperature storage.
- 7.4.1 – Hydrogen permeation test may be carried out upon agreement to evaluate fish-scale resistance.
- 7.4.2 – Adhesion test may be performed upon agreement; pretreatment and enameling conditions shall be stated in contract.
- 7.4.3 – Enamelability evaluation tests are recommended for first-time use or when enamel frit/process changes.
🔬 7.4.1 Anti-fishscale (Hydrogen permeation test)
Upon agreement, hydrogen permeation test (Annex B) may be carried out. Acceptance criteria by agreement.
📍 TH = tb/d² ; Electrolyte A: TH ≥ 6.7 min/mm². Electrolyte B: TH ≥ 6.7 min/mm² (negotiable for B/Ti steels).
🧪 7.4.2 Enamel adhesion test
Upon agreement, adhesion test may be performed. Pretreatment and enameling conditions shall be stated in contract.
🔄 7.4.3 Enamelability evaluation test
When using material first time or enamel frit/process changes, evaluation tests are recommended.
📋 Additional Technical Requirements
Surface quality (Table 8)
FB/FC/FD available. For FC/FD: stretcher strain free 6 months. No cracks, blisters, folds.
FB/FC/FD available. For FC/FD: stretcher strain free 6 months. No cracks, blisters, folds.
Oiling & rust (7.7)
Usually oiled, 6-month rust protection. Non-oiled: supplier not liable for rust/scratches.
Usually oiled, 6-month rust protection. Non-oiled: supplier not liable for rust/scratches.
📌 Surface texture: Dull Ra 0.6–1.9μm; Rough Ra >1.6μm (7.6). Dimensions per GB/T 708 (7.8).
🏭 Manufacturing & Inspection
6.2 Annealed + skin-passed | 9.2 Batch ≤30t | 8.2 Tensile 1/batch | 10 Inspection doc type 3.1
📖 International grade comparison (Annex A)
GB/T 13790—2025: DC03EK ≈ EN 10209:2023 DC03EK, ISO 5001:2012 VE02 Type 1.
GB/T 13790—2025: DC03EK ≈ EN 10209:2023 DC03EK, ISO 5001:2012 VE02 Type 1.
🧪 Hydrogen Permeation Test Annex B
Thickness 0.50–3.00mm. TH = tb/d² ≥ 6.7 min/mm² (Electrolyte A). For B/Ti steels, results negotiable.
✅ Why specifiers choose DC03EK enameling steel
- Low carbon & low P/S (≤0.07% C, P≤0.025%, S≤0.030%) – cleaner surface, fewer enamel defects
- Enhanced drawing performance – yield strength as low as 240 MPa, elongation up to 34%
- Fish scale resistance – validated by hydrogen permeation test (TH ≥ 6.7)
- 6-month mechanical property guarantee from manufacture date
- No stretcher strains for FC/FD surface quality within 6 months
- Hydrogen permeation / adhesion tests available upon agreement
- Oiled option: 6-month rust protection
Based on GB/T 13790—2025. Actual delivery subject to contract.