What is DC06EK Enameling Steel?
If you need the highest level of ultra deep drawing performance with superior vitreous enameling characteristics, DC06EK is the premium titanium-stabilized grade you should consider.
DC06EK is a cold-rolled low carbon steel specifically optimized for traditional enamel coating (EK suffix) with stamping level 06 (extra ultra deep drawing). With ultra-low carbon (≤0.008%), titanium stabilization (≤0.15%), the lowest phosphorus content (≤0.020%), and excellent plastic strain ratio (r90 ≥1.8), it delivers exceptional formability for the most demanding deep-drawn parts while ensuring superior enamel adhesion and anti-fishscale performance. Titanium addition fixes carbon and nitrogen, providing superior aging resistance.
When you use DC06EK, you benefit from the highest formability for extremely complex geometries, consistent surface quality after firing, and minimal rejects due to fish scaling, blistering, or poor adhesion. No stretcher strain marks appear during use as per GB/T 13790-2025 Table 7.
Typical applications include extra complex deep-drawn enamelware, water heater liners, high-end sanitary ware, bathtubs, automotive enamel components, and premium home appliance parts. If you need both extreme drawability and a flawless enamel finish, DC06EK gives you the highest performance titanium-stabilized 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 DC06EK (Traditional Enameling Process / Extra Ultra Deep Drawing Quality / Ti-Stabilized)
📌 Designation System Clause 4.2
DC06EK consists of four parts:
- D — Steel flat product for cold forming
- C — Cold rolled condition
- 06 — Stamping level: Extra ultra deep drawing (Level 06)
- EK — Enamelling type: Suitable for traditional enameling process
📖 Note: "ED" suffix indicates direct-on enameling process (also suitable for traditional), while DC06EK uses "EK" for traditional enameling with premium extra ultra deep drawability, titanium stabilization, and r90 ≥1.8.
📊 DC06EK vs Other Enameling Grades – Why Choose DC06EK?
1️⃣ vs DC01EK/DC03EK
DC01EK: C ≤0.07%, no Ti
DC03EK: C ≤0.07%, no Ti
DC06EK: C ≤0.008% + Ti ≤0.15%
Yield strength: ≤190 MPa vs ≤240-270 MPa
Elongation: 38% vs 30-34%
2️⃣ vs DC04EK/DC05EK
DC04EK: C ≤0.06%, no Ti
DC05EK: C ≤0.02%, no Ti
DC06EK: C ≤0.008% + Ti stabilization
r90: ≥1.8 vs ≥1.7
Superior aging resistance due to Ti
3️⃣ Key Advantages
- Ultra-low carbon (≤0.008%) for maximum formability
- Titanium stabilized (≤0.15%) for aging resistance
- Lowest phosphorus (≤0.020%) for enamel adhesion
- Highest elongation (≥38% for t>0.70mm)
- Plastic strain ratio r90 ≥1.8 (≥0.50mm)
- No stretcher strain marks during use (Table 7)
- Hydrogen permeation validated (TH ≥6.7)
4️⃣ vs DC07EK
DC07EK: Highest formability, r90 ≥2.0
DC06EK: Excellent balance of formability and cost
DC06EK offers Ti stabilization at lower cost than DC07EK
💡 Key takeaway: DC06EK delivers the highest formability among cost-effective EK-series enameling steels with ultra-low carbon (≤0.008%), titanium stabilization, and the strictest phosphorus control (≤0.020%). Choose DC06EK when your part requires the most complex extra ultra deep drawing geometries while maintaining superior enamel adhesion and fish-scale resistance. The r90 ≥1.8 ensures excellent deep drawability, and titanium stabilization provides superior aging resistance.
🏺 Enameling Performance
🎯 Designed for
- Traditional two-coat enameling
- Extra complex ultra deep-drawn components
- Reduced fish-scale & blistering
✨ Key Characteristics
- Excellent enamel adhesion (lowest P ≤0.020%)
- Proven fish-scale resistance (TH ≥6.7)
- Superior extra ultra deep drawing capability
- Ultra-low carbon (≤0.008%) + Ti stabilization
- High plastic strain ratio r90 ≥1.8
- No stretcher strain marks during use
⚙️ What makes DC06EK the premium titanium-stabilized enameling steel? Its ultra-low carbon chemistry (≤0.008%) and titanium stabilization (≤0.15%) deliver exceptional formability, superior aging resistance, and the cleanest surface for enamel coating. The hydrogen permeation test validates fish scale resistance (TH ≥6.7 min/mm²), while the highest elongation (up to 38%) and r90 ≥1.8 enable the most complex extra ultra deep-drawn shapes without cracking. Per Table 7, no stretcher strain marks appear during use.
⚙️ Chemical Composition Clause 7.1 – Table 5 (Ladle analysis)
| Grade | C (%) | Mn (%) | P (%) | S (%) | Als (%) | Ti (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC06EK | ≤0.008 | ≤0.50 | ≤0.020 | ≤0.050 | ≥0.010 | ≤0.15 |
🔬 Permissible deviations for product analysis according to GB/T 222 (Clause 7.1.2). Ultra-low carbon (≤0.008%), titanium stabilization (≤0.15%), and lowest phosphorus (≤0.020%) among EK series provide maximum formability, superior aging resistance, and excellent 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). Titanium stabilization provides superior aging resistance.
⚠️ Aging effect: yield & tensile strength may increase over time, elongation decreases – recommend early use (7.2.2). Titanium stabilization provides superior aging resistance.
| 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 |
r90 0.50~2.00mm |
r90 >2.00mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DC06EK | ≤230 | ≤210 | ≤190 | 270~350 | ≥34 | ≥36 | ≥38 | ≥1.8 | ≥1.6 |
📐 When yield phenomenon not obvious, use Rp0.2. 🔧 Lower yield strength limit of 120 MPa negotiable. 🧪 P6 transverse specimen. Plastic strain ratio r90 measured at 15% plastic strain (Table 9 note). For thickness ≥1.5mm, yield strength upper limit is 225 MPa.
📏 Stretcher Strain Clause 7.3 – Table 7
| Grade | Stretcher strain requirements |
|---|---|
| DC01EK, DC03EK, DC04EK, DC05EK, DC03ED, DC04ED | For surface quality levels FC and FD, no stretcher strains within 6 months from manufacture date. |
| DC06EK, DC07EK, DC06ED | ✔️ No stretcher strains shall appear under room temperature storage during use. (Stricter requirement than DC01EK-DC05EK) |
📌 Per Table 7, DC06EK has the strictest stretcher strain requirement: no stretcher strains shall appear during use (not just within 6 months), thanks to titanium stabilization.
📋 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. Titanium stabilization provides superior aging resistance.
- 7.3.1 – Skin-passing is applied, but stretcher strain tendency may reappear; titanium-stabilized grades have better resistance.
- 7.3.2 / Table 7 – For DC06EK: no stretcher strains shall appear under room temperature storage during use.
- 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). Note: For Ti-stabilized steels like DC06EK, results and treatment need agreement between supplier and buyer per Annex B.7.2 note.
🧪 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 DC06EK: no stretcher strains during use. No cracks, blisters, folds.
FB/FC/FD available. For DC06EK: no stretcher strains during use. 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). Plastic strain ratio r90 ≥1.8 for thickness 0.50-2.00mm, ≥1.6 for thickness >2.00mm (Table 6).
🏭 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: DC06EK ≈ EN 10209:2023 DC06EK, ISO 5001:2012 VE05 Type 3.
GB/T 13790—2025: DC06EK ≈ EN 10209:2023 DC06EK, ISO 5001:2012 VE05 Type 3.
🧪 Hydrogen Permeation Test Annex B
Thickness 0.50–3.00mm. TH = tb/d² ≥ 6.7 min/mm² (Electrolyte A). Note for Ti-stabilized steels: Due to lack of evidence directly relating anti-fishscale performance to hydrogen permeation time for Ti-added enameling steels, test results and treatment need agreement between supplier and buyer (Annex B.7.2 note).
✅ Why specifiers choose DC06EK enameling steel
- Ultra-low carbon (≤0.008%) + Titanium stabilization (≤0.15%) – maximum formability, superior aging resistance, cleanest surface
- Lowest phosphorus (≤0.020%) – best enamel adhesion among EK series
- Premium extra ultra deep drawing performance – yield strength as low as 190 MPa, elongation up to 38%
- High plastic strain ratio – r90 ≥1.8 (0.50-2.00mm) / ≥1.6 (>2.00mm) for superior deep drawability
- No stretcher strain marks during use – strictest requirement per Table 7
- Fish scale resistance – validated by hydrogen permeation test (TH ≥6.7 min/mm²)
- 6-month mechanical property guarantee from manufacture date
- Hydrogen permeation / adhesion tests available upon agreement
- Oiled option: 6-month rust protection
Based on GB/T 13790—2025. Actual delivery subject to contract. Data verified per standard Tables 5, 6, 7 and Annex B. r90 values per Table 6. For Ti-stabilized DC06EK, hydrogen permeation results negotiable per Annex B.7.2 note.