Materials database

Cold-rolled unalloyed low-carbon steel for cold forming. Base grade of the DC family (DC01-DC07). Good formability for bending, coining, beading, and simple drawing operations. Smooth surface suitable for coating and painting. Formerly designated St12.

Cold-rolled steel for moderate drawing applications. Better formability than DC01, not as good as DC04. The "middle" grade in the EN 10130 drawing steel series. Used for moderate deep-drawing applications, automotive body panels (non-critical areas), white goods housings, and general presswork.

Cold-rolled low-carbon steel for deep drawing. Higher formability than DC01/DC03 — suitable for difficult drawing and profiling operations. Used for automotive body panels, deep-drawn kitchen sinks, complex stampings, and precision-formed components.

Cold-rolled steel for extra deep drawing. The highest formability grade in the EN 10130 drawing steel series (r-value ≥1.8). Very low yield strength for excellent deep drawability. Used for complex deep-drawn automotive body panels (doors, fenders), kitchen sinks, washing machine drums, and any severe stamping application.

Interstitial-free (IF) cold-rolled steel — the absolute best formability of all automotive steels. Ultra-low carbon (<0.02%) with Ti/Nb microalloying to scavenge interstitial C and N. r-value ≥2.1. Used for the most demanding deep-drawn body panels (door inners, complex fenders, quarter panels) and structural reinforcements requiring extreme formability.

Super deep-drawing quality cold-rolled steel with extremely low carbon content (max 0.01%). The highest formability grade in the EN 10130 DC series, designed for extreme cold forming operations. Interstitial-free (IF) steel with Ti and/or Nb stabilization to achieve exceptional r-values and elongation. Used for complex automotive body panels, deep-drawn fuel tanks, and intricate sheet metal components requiring the most demanding forming operations.

Modified D2 cold-work tool steel developed by Daido Steel (Japan). Refined Cr-Mo-V composition with higher tempering temperature capability gives ~2x the toughness of standard D2 at equal hardness (62-63 HRC). Used as D2 replacement for progressive dies, blanking tools, and cold forging where chipping is a problem.

The most widely used duplex (austenitic-ferritic) stainless steel. Balanced 50/50 microstructure provides twice the yield strength of 304/316L with superior chloride and stress corrosion resistance. Used in oil & gas, chemical processing, marine, and pulp & paper industries.

General-purpose engineering structural steel — ReH >=295 MPa. Formerly St 50-2 (DIN 17100). Higher strength than S235 but not intended for welded structures (higher C, no guaranteed weldability). Used for machine bases, frames, pins, keys, and general engineering parts where moderate strength without welding is sufficient. Not suitable for cold forming.

Highest-strength unalloyed structural steel in EN 10025-2 — former designation St60-2 (DIN 17100). Higher C and Mn than S355 giving UTS 570-710 MPa. Not intended for welding (high CEV). Used for shafts, axles, bolts, and machine parts where weldability is not required but higher strength than S355 is needed. "E" designates engineering steel (vs "S" for structural).

Highest-strength unalloyed structural steel in EN 10025-2 — ReH ≥360 MPa minimum. Not intended for welding (high C ~0.57%). Used for general engineering where maximum unalloyed strength is needed without heat treatment: machine beds, crane components, wear plates, and structural members not requiring welding. Formerly St 70-2 (DIN 17100).

Commercially pure aluminium (99.5% min Al). Excellent corrosion resistance, thermal and electrical conductivity. Very soft and easily formed. Used for chemical plant equipment, food industry, reflectors, heat exchangers, electrical conductors, and decorative trim.

Commercially pure aluminum (99.0% min Al). Excellent corrosion resistance, highest thermal and electrical conductivity among common alloys, and outstanding formability. Very low strength — not for structural applications. Used for chemical equipment, heat exchangers, fin stock, name plates, reflectors, and food/pharmaceutical packaging.

Commercially pure aluminum (99.0% min Al) — the European variant of 1100. Slightly different Si/Fe impurity limits. Same excellent corrosion resistance, conductivity, and formability. Used for heat exchanger fins, foil, chemical equipment, and general sheet applications where high conductivity and corrosion resistance matter more than strength.

The original free-cutting aluminum alloy. Al-Cu with Pb+Bi additions for chip-breaking — the highest machinability rating of any Al alloy. Being phased out in EU for RoHS compliance (Pb content). Replaced by 6026 (Bi only) or 6082 in new designs. Still widely used in US/Asia. Used for high-volume screw machine products, precision bushings, fittings, and instruments.

High-strength Al-Cu alloy, heat-treatable to high strength levels. Good machinability in T6. Poor corrosion resistance (needs cladding or anodizing). Used for heavy-duty forgings, truck wheels, aircraft structures, and general high-strength structural applications. One of the oldest aerospace Al alloys.

The original "Duralumin" — historically the first high-strength aluminium alloy. Cu-Mg composition with natural aging (T4). Good machinability and moderate strength. Largely superseded by 2024 and 7xxx alloys for aerospace, but still widely used for screw-machine parts, hydraulic fittings, and structural rivets.

THE aerospace aluminum alloy — Al-Cu-Mg, introduced by Alcoa in 1931 as "Dural". Excellent fatigue resistance and damage tolerance. T3: UTS 400-470 MPa, good natural aging. Not weldable, poor corrosion resistance (often Alclad). Used for aircraft fuselage skins, wing skins, structural members under tension, ribs, and frames. Also: hydraulic valve bodies, gears, computer parts.

Classic high-strength aerospace aluminium alloy (Al-Cu-Mg). Excellent fatigue resistance — the standard choice for aircraft fuselage skins and wing tension members. Poor corrosion resistance and weldability. Often supplied with Alclad cladding for corrosion protection. In use since 1931.

THE weldable aerospace Al-Cu alloy — Cu 5.8-6.8%, no Mg. Unique among 2xxx: fully weldable (unlike 2024/2014). Retains strength from -250°C to +315°C. Used for Space Shuttle external tank, Saturn V fuel tanks, and cryogenic vessels. T87: UTS 455 MPa. Also used for supersonic aircraft skins and high-temperature structural applications up to 315°C.

The most widely used manganese aluminium alloy. ~20% stronger than 1050A with similar formability and corrosion resistance. Non-heat-treatable. Used for heat exchangers, cooking utensils, pressure vessels, chemical equipment, and architectural trim.

Al-Mn general purpose alloy — Mn 1.0-1.5%. ~20% stronger than 1100 pure Al with similar excellent formability, corrosion resistance, and weldability. Non-heat-treatable. THE cooking/food industry aluminum: pots, pans, beverage cans, heat exchangers, chemical equipment, and general sheet metal. Also used for roofing, siding, and storage tanks.

Al-Mn-Mg alloy — THE beverage can body material. Mn 1.0-1.5% + Mg 0.8-1.3% give moderate strength (UTS 240-280 H19) with excellent formability for deep drawing and ironing. ~200 billion cans/year worldwide. Also used for roofing sheet, color-coated panels, and storage tanks. Stronger than 3003 due to Mg addition.

Al-Mn-Mg alloy with slightly higher strength than 3003. Good formability and corrosion resistance. Not heat-treatable. Commonly used for building products, mobile homes/trailers, bottle caps, and general sheet metal applications. Intermediate between 3003 and 5005 in the strength hierarchy.