Common Steel Grades Used in Automotive Industry

Introduction

The automotive industry relies heavily on different types of automotive steel sheet to balance strength, formability, cost, and durability. Selecting the right automotive steel grades is essential for car body panels, chassis structures, and safety-critical components.

Automotive steel grades refer to standardized classifications that define the chemical composition, mechanical properties, and formability of steel used in vehicle manufacturing. These grades help engineers and procurement teams understand why different steels are used in specific automotive applications, and how they differ in strength, formability, and performance.

Many automotive steel grades discussed in this guide—such as SPCC, galvanized steel, HSLA, and DP grades—are commonly supplied in coil or sheet form for production and repair applications. If you already have a target application, confirming grade, thickness, and surface requirements is often the next step.

Low Carbon Steels – SPCC, DC01

• Application: Widely used as sheet metal for auto body repair and OEM production of exterior panels, hoods, fenders, and doors, thanks to excellent surface finish and formability.
• Properties: Tensile strength typically 270–410 MPa, with high ductility and excellent surface finish suitable for coating or painting.
• Standards: SPCC (JIS G3141), ASTM A1008, EN DC01.
• SPCC Cold Rolled Steel Plate Supply Capabilities: Regularly available in coil and sheet form for automotive panel production, with surface finishes suitable for stamping and painting processes.

Hot-Dip Galvanized & Galvannealed Steels – GI, GA, SPGC

• Application: Used in car body doors, roofs, and structural components where corrosion resistance is essential.
• Properties: Zinc or galvannealed coating, excellent surface quality, tensile strength 270–600 MPa.
• Standards: ASTM A653, JIS G3302, EN 10346.
• Galvanized Automotive Steel Plate Supply Capabilities: Stocked in a range of coating weights (Z100–Z275) and finishes for car body manufacturing.

👉 For more details on corrosion protection and why galvanized sheet is widely chosen for car body applications, see our guide: Automotive Steel Sheet for Car Body | Why Galvanized Steel.

High-Strength Low-Alloy Steels (HSLA Steel) – QSTE420TM, HR440B

• Application: Used for underbody parts, suspension components, and reinforcement beams where weight reduction is important.
• Properties: Higher strength than mild steels (yield strength 350–550 MPa), good toughness, weldability, and formability.
• Standards: High strength low alloy HSLA steel grades often conform to ASTM A1011/A1018 or EN standards.
• Supply Capabilities: Supplied in hot rolled or cold rolled condition, with customizable thickness and width for OEM stamping requirements.

Advanced High-Strength Steels– DP600, DP780, TRIP Steel

• Application: DP600 steel and other dual-phase grades are widely used in bumpers, crash zones, and safety reinforcements. They enable automakers to meet crashworthiness requirements while reducing vehicle mass.
• Properties: Dual Phase (DP) steels such as DP600 and DP780 offer tensile strengths of 600–800 MPa with good elongation. TRIP steels provide high energy absorption and excellent formability.
• Standards: DP600, DP800, DP1000 aligned with ASTM and EN.
• High Strength Automotive Steel Plate Supply Capabilities: Available in coils and sheets, suitable for complex stamping operations.

Cold Rolled Steel – CR2, CR3, SPCD

• Application: Used in automotive doors, hoods, fenders, and precision parts requiring dimensional accuracy.
• Properties: Excellent formability and surface finish; tensile strength typically 270–410 MPa depending on grade.
• Standards: JIS G3141 (SPCD, SPCE), EN 10130 (CR2, CR3), ASTM A1008.
• Supply Capabilities: Delivered in sheet and coil with strict thickness tolerances and smooth finishes for visible automotive panels.

Stainless Steels

• Application: Exhaust systems, fuel tanks, decorative trims.
• Properties: Corrosion resistance, high-temperature strength, and durability.
• Standards: Typical grades include 409, 430, and 304 stainless steels.
• Capabilities: Available in coils and sheets with surface finishes tailored for automotive interior and exterior parts.

How to Choose the Right Steel Grade for Automotive Applications

When selecting steel grades used in automotive industry, decision-makers must balance cost, performance, and compliance:

• Cost-sensitive applications → SPCC steel or galvanized grades are preferred.
• Lightweight with strength → HSLA steel or DP600 steel offer an optimal balance.
• Corrosion durability → Galvanized, galvanealed, or stainless steels are suitable.
• Repair and aftermarket needs → sheet metal for auto body repair (commonly SPCC metal) is widely used.

In practice, automotive material selection usually starts from the vehicle part and performance requirement, then narrows down to 1–2 suitable steel grades for specification confirmation.

Navigating these trade-offs can be complex. If you’re unsure which grade is most cost-effective for your specific project, our technical experts can help.
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Summary Table

The table below summarizes commonly used automotive steel grades and explains how each grade is typically applied in vehicle structures based on strength, formability, and corrosion requirements.

Steel Type	Common Grades	Key Properties	Typical Applications
Mild Steel	SPCC, DC01	High ductility, low cost, excellent finish	Body panels, general stamping parts
HSLA Steel	QSTE420TM, HR440B	Strength 350–550 MPa, good weldability	Chassis, suspension, reinforcements
AHSS (Dual Phase, TRIP)	DP600, DP780, TRIP	High strength-to-weight, crash energy absorption	Bumpers, side beams, crash structures
Galvanized Steel	GI, GA, SPGC	Corrosion resistance, paintability	Exterior body, battery enclosures
Cold Rolled Steel	CR2, CR3, SPCD	Excellent surface and formability	Doors, hoods, fenders, visible panels

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Steel Grades

• Q1: Why is mild steel used in car bodies?
  Mild steel, such as SPCC and DC01, offers excellent formability, making it easy to stamp into complex shapes for fenders, doors, and hoods. It also provides a smooth surface for painting and coating while keeping production costs reasonable.
• Q2: Which type of steel is used to make car bodies?
  Low carbon cold rolled steel such as SPCC or DC01 is commonly used for car body panels due to its excellent formability and surface quality. In corrosion-prone areas, galvanized steel is often selected.
• Q3: Which automotive steel grades are used for crash safety parts?
  Dual Phase steels (DP600, DP780) and TRIP steels are common in bumpers and crash zones.
• Q4: What is the difference between mild steel and HSLA steel in cars?
  Mild steel is cost-effective and easy to form, while HSLA steel offers higher strength and lighter weight.
• Q5: Is galvanized sheet metal used in the automotive industry?
  Yes, galvanized and galvannealed sheet metal are essential for corrosion protection in doors, roofs, and structural parts.
• Q6: How do I choose the right automotive steel grade for my application?
  Automotive steel selection usually starts with the vehicle part and performance requirement, such as strength, formability, or corrosion resistance. Based on these needs, one or two suitable grades are typically shortlisted.

CJM Automotive Grade Sheet Metal Supply Capabilities

• Thickness Range: 0.4–3.0 mm
• Width: 600–1500 mm
• Form: Coil / Sheet / Slit Coil
• MOQ: 1 Ton (flexible for trial orders & replacement needs)
• Ports of Shipment: Shanghai / Tianjin / Qingdao
• Mill Test Certificate (MTC) & SGS Inspection Available

→ Request Latest CIF / FOB Price Based on Your Destination Port

Conclusion

Selecting the right automotive steel grades is a critical decision that impacts performance, cost, and safety. While this guide provides a foundation, every project is unique.

For a personalized recommendation and to ensure your material meets exact specifications, submit your requirements to our engineering team for a free analysis. Or, browse our product page of automotive grade sheet metal to see immediate availability.