Steel AHSS
also Advanced HSS
AHSS (advanced high-strength steel) covers low-carbon microalloyed sheet steels that combine high strength with formability through multiphase microstructures of ferrite plus martensite, bainite or retained austenite: DP, TRIP, CP, MS, Q&P, TWIP and press-hardening boron (PHS) grades, supplied as hot-rolled, cold-rolled or galvanized coil.
Values for the HR condition
AHSS tempers and conditions
AHSS is supplied in 14 conditions, soft to hard. HR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 14 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cold rolled | Standard body-in-white gauge (0.6–2.5 mm) with tight thickness tolerance and best surface for exposed/structural stampings. | 380 | 630 | 27 | 13 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
Dual phase, 590 MPa min tensile class | Entry AHSS: best stretch-formability of the DP family for reinforcements, rails and seat structures. | 380 | 630 | 27 | 190 HB | 8.4 % IACS |
HRDefault Hot rolled | Cheapest AHSS form for thicker structural parts (2–8 mm): chassis arms, wheels, seat and suspension brackets. | 400 | 620 | 24 | 12 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
Thermomechanically controlled processed | Controlled-rolled/accelerated-cooled hot band giving fine bainitic-ferritic structure: high yield with good low-temperature toughness and weldability for structural/plate use. | 460 | 620 | 22 | 14 HRC | 8.6 % IACS |
Transformation-induced plasticity, 780 MPa class | Pick when a deep-drawn or stretch-formed part needs 780 MPa strength with DP590-level elongation and high energy absorption. | 470 | 820 | 26 | 23 HRC | 6.9 % IACS |
Ferritic-bainitic (stretch-flangeable) 590 class | Hot-rolled grade with outstanding hole expansion and fatigue for wheels, chassis arms and rim sections. | 480 | 630 | 22 | 195 HB | 8.4 % IACS |
Twinning-induced plasticity austenitic Mn steel | Use when extreme elongation and crash-energy absorption are needed; austenitic and non-magnetic, but costly and delayed-cracking sensitive. | 500 | 980 | 55 | 250 HB | — |
Dual phase, 780 MPa min tensile class | Workhorse crash-energy grade for B-pillar reinforcements, rockers and longitudinal members. | 510 | 820 | 18 | 23 HRC | 8 % IACS |
Dual phase, 980 MPa min tensile class | High-strength cold stamping grade for anti-intrusion beams and pillar reinforcements; needs springback compensation. | 700 | 1,030 | 12 | 31 HRC | 7.8 % IACS |
Complex phase, 800 MPa class | High yield-to-tensile ratio with good edge-stretch and hole expansion: chassis, roll-formed sections and bumper beams. | 700 | 850 | 12 | 25 HRC | 7.6 % IACS |
Quenched and partitioned, 980 MPa class | Third-generation AHSS: DP980 strength with roughly double the elongation for complex cold-stamped safety parts. | 720 | 1,030 | 20 | 31 HRC | 6.9 % IACS |
Dual phase, 1180 MPa min tensile class | Top cold-formable DP class for near-hot-stamping strength in roll-formed or mild-draw parts. | 950 | 1,230 | 7 | 38 HRC | 7.6 % IACS |
Martensitic, 1300 MPa class | Roll-formed only: bumper beams, door impact bars and side-intrusion tubes needing maximum strength per mass. | 1,100 | 1,350 | 5 | 42 HRC | — |
Press-hardened (hot-stamped) 22MnB5, Al-Si coated | Hot-stamped in-die quenched martensite for A/B-pillars, roof rails and tunnels: near-zero springback and highest strength, but no cold formability and needs laser trimming. | 1,150 | 1,550 | 6 | 47 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways AHSS is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
Galvanized | Hot-dip GI / galvannealed GA coated AHSS | Coating |
What is AHSS?
AHSS (advanced high-strength steel) covers low-carbon microalloyed sheet steels that combine high strength with formability through multiphase microstructures of ferrite plus martensite, bainite or retained austenite: DP, TRIP, CP, MS, Q&P, TWIP and press-hardening boron (PHS) grades, supplied as hot-rolled, cold-rolled or galvanized coil. It is used mainly for automotive body lightweighting, thinning parts at equal stiffness while improving crash energy absorption. As strength rises, elongation and springback control worsen and weld heat-affected zones can soften or embrittle; bare sheet corrodes like plain carbon steel, so galvanizing or paint is required. AHSS has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F). AHSS has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
What is AHSS used for?
- Automotive crash and bumper beams
- A- and B-pillar reinforcements
- Door impact beams
- Rocker panels and roof rails
- Seat structures and frames
- Chassis and suspension arms
- Wheel discs
Advantages
- Readily welded — 72/100, better than 75% of steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
- Low fracture toughness — 60 MPa·√m (54.6 ksi·√in), worse than 78% of steel grades
AHSS properties
Typical room-temperature values for AHSS-HR; bars are the position among steel grades.
Physical3
AHSS has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,500°C (2,732 °F).
Mechanical17
AHSS has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 24% and the elastic modulus is 207 GPa (30 Msi).
Thermal6
AHSS is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 45 W/m·K (26 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 66% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12 µm/m·K (6.67 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
AHSS conducts electricity at 8.6 % IACS, better than 66% of steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is not recommended (11/100), worse than 73% of steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of AHSS takes about 27 MJ of energy and emits 2.2 kg of CO₂ — less than 59% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
AHSS's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability good (60/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the steel family
Yield strength against density for every steel grade FabDigit runs. AHSS is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with AHSS
Is AHSS easy to machine?
Abrasive multiphase/martensitic structure — use rigid setups, coated carbide or CBN, low feed per tooth; laser or waterjet cutting is preferred over shearing above ~1000 MPa to avoid edge damage.
Can AHSS be welded?
Resistance spot weldable with adjusted (often multi-pulse) schedules and higher electrode force; watch HAZ softening in DP/MS, liquid-metal embrittlement on Zn coatings, and use low-hydrogen practice or laser welding for high-strength classes.
Can AHSS be formed, bent or molded?
Higher press loads and 2–3× the springback of mild steel; compensate die geometry, allow generous bend radii, and roll-form rather than draw grades above ~1000 MPa; press-hardening grades are formed hot at 900–950 °C and quenched in the die.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to AHSS. Every AHSS part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair60 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Good72 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
AHSS chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| C0.06–0.15 for DP/TRIP/CP; up to ~0.25 for MS and 22MnB5 | 0.06 – 0.23 | 0.12 |
| Mnhigh-Mn TWIP grades contain 15–25 % Mn | 0.8 – 2.6 | 1.8 |
| Si1.0–2.0 % in TRIP/Q&P to stabilise retained austenite | 0.05 – 2 | 0.3 |
| Crhardenability | 0 – 0.6 | 0.25 |
| Moretards ferrite/pearlite | 0 – 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Aldeoxidation; up to 1.5 % in Al-alloyed TRIP | 0.02 – 1.5 | 0.05 |
| Nbgrain refinement (microalloying) | 0 – 0.06 | 0.03 |
| TiN fixing, B protection | 0 – 0.05 | 0.02 |
| Voptional precipitation strengthening | 0 – 0.1 | |
| Bessential in press-hardening 22MnB5 | 0 – 0.01 | 0 |
| P | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| S | ≤ 0.02 | 0.01 |
| N | ≤ 0.01 | 0.01 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on AHSS?
Not anodizable; supplied bare, hot-dip galvanized (GI/GA), Zn-Mg or Al-Si coated, then phosphated and e-coated/painted — avoid electroplating on ≥1200 MPa parts due to hydrogen embrittlement risk.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Plating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel AHSS in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- Advanced HSS
- Also called
- Advanced High Strength Steel
How much does AHSS cost?
AHSS is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
AHSS — frequently asked
What is AHSS used for?
AHSS is typically used for automotive crash and bumper beams, A- and B-pillar reinforcements, door impact beams, rocker panels and roof rails, seat structures and frames and chassis and suspension arms. In short: lightweight; high-strength.
What is the yield strength of AHSS?
AHSS has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 620 MPa (89.9 ksi) — weaker than 60% of steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 14 listed tempers.
Is AHSS easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 65% of steel grades). Abrasive multiphase/martensitic structure — use rigid setups, coated carbide or CBN, low feed per tooth; laser or waterjet cutting is preferred over shearing above ~1000 MPa to avoid edge damage.
Can AHSS be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Resistance spot weldable with adjusted (often multi-pulse) schedules and higher electrode force; watch HAZ softening in DP/MS, liquid-metal embrittlement on Zn coatings, and use low-hydrogen practice or laser welding for high-strength classes.
What surface finishes work on AHSS?
Not anodizable; supplied bare, hot-dip galvanized (GI/GA), Zn-Mg or Al-Si coated, then phosphated and e-coated/painted — avoid electroplating on ≥1200 MPa parts due to hydrogen embrittlement risk.
Can AHSS be formed, bent or molded?
Higher press loads and 2–3× the springback of mild steel; compensate die geometry, allow generous bend radii, and roll-form rather than draw grades above ~1000 MPa; press-hardening grades are formed hot at 900–950 °C and quenched in the die.
What is the maximum service temperature of AHSS?
AHSS is rated for continuous use to about 200°C (392 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between AHSS-HR and AHSS PHS1500?
HR is the default condition — cheapest AHSS form for thicker structural parts (2–8 mm): chassis arms, wheels, seat and suspension brackets. PHS1500: hot-stamped in-die quenched martensite for A/B-pillars, roof rails and tunnels: near-zero springback and highest strength, but no cold formability and needs laser trimming. Yield strength is 400 MPa in HR versus 1,150 MPa in PHS1500.
How much does AHSS cost?
AHSS is a premium-cost steel ($$$), cheaper than about 59% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in AHSS?
Yes — AHSS is available for sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Advanced High-Strength Steels Application Guidelines v7 — WorldAutoSteel (2021)
- SAE J2745 — Advanced High Strength Steel Sheet — SAE International (2019)
- VDA 239-100 — Sheet Steel for Cold Forming — VDA (2016)
- EN 10338 / EN 10346 — hot & cold rolled multiphase and coated steels — CEN (2015)
- Dual Phase, Complex Phase and Usibor product data — ArcelorMittal (2023)
- Automotive high-strength steel catalogue — Baosteel (2023)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels — ASM International (1990)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.