Metal
Mild steel (CRCA)
The cheapest formable sheet. Needs a coating.
Published values for unfilled grades at 23 °C unless stated. Confirm against the supplier datasheet for the grade you specify.
What it is
CRCA is low-carbon steel cold rolled to a smooth, dimensionally accurate sheet, then annealed to restore ductility. It forms tightly, welds without preheat, and costs less than any alternative.
It has no corrosion resistance at all. Every CRCA part needs powder coating, plating, or galvanising, and the coating specification is part of the design, not an afterthought.
Where it is used
- Enclosures, cabinets, and chassis
- Brackets, mounts, and structural sheet parts
- Machine guarding and panels
- Automotive body and structural pressings
- Racks and industrial furniture
Processing notes
Laser cuts fast and cheap. Punching is more economical above a few hundred parts.
Bends to 0.5 × thickness inside radius. Springback is small and predictable compared with aluminum or stainless.
Welds by MIG or spot without special procedure. Grind and fill weld seams before coating if the surface is cosmetic.
Available through
Design notes
Specify the coating in the same breath as the material. Powder coat over zinc phosphate is the usual industrial default.
Hole to bend distance at least 2.5 × thickness plus radius.
Use standard sheet gauges. Non-standard thicknesses carry a mill order and a lead time.
Grades and variants
- DC01 / IS 513 D, general drawing quality
- DC03 / DC04, deeper drawing grades
- Galvanised (GI), zinc coated, for pre-protected parts
- HR sheet, hot rolled, cheaper, rougher, for thicker structural parts
- EN 10130 equivalents for European supply
Alternatives
If Mild steel (CRCA) is not the right answer
Specifying this material?
Send your CAD and target volumes. We come back with a price, a lead time, and any material or design notes that would reduce either.