FabDigit

Steel MS1700

MS1700 (HDT1500M) is a cold-rolled martensitic advanced high-strength sheet steel at 1450 MPa yield, 1780 MPa tensile, 4 % elongation and about 50 HRC — one of the highest strength levels available in AHSS.

Sheet metalStandard cost $$

Values for the CR condition

MS1700 tempers and conditions

MS1700 is supplied in one standard condition, CR. CR is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.

What is MS1700?

MS1700 (HDT1500M) is a cold-rolled martensitic advanced high-strength sheet steel at 1450 MPa yield, 1780 MPa tensile, 4 % elongation and about 50 HRC — one of the highest strength levels available in AHSS. It is used for simple-shape, roll-formed or lightly bent parts that need maximum strength per unit weight, mainly automotive impact structures. Formability is very limited and deep drawing is not possible, the spot-weld HAZ tempers and softens, service is limited to about 200 °C, and the bare surface rusts, so coating is required. Choose a DP or CP grade when more forming is needed. MS1700 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). MS1700 has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,780 MPa (258 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

What is MS1700 used for?

  • Bumper beams
  • Door intrusion beams
  • Rocker and sill reinforcements
  • B-pillar reinforcements
  • Seat cross-members
  • Roll-formed side-impact tubes
  • Chassis reinforcement brackets

Advantages

  • High strength — 1,450 MPa (210 ksi), better than 97% of steel grades

Limitations

  • Limited ductility — 4%, worse than 98% of steel grades
  • Difficult to machine — 20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades
  • Limited service temperature — 200°C (392 °F), worse than 93% of steel grades
  • Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 92% of steel grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 50 MPa·√m (45.5 ksi·√in), worse than 86% of steel grades

MS1700 properties

Typical room-temperature values for MS1700-CR; bars are the position among steel grades.

Physical3

MS1700 has a density of 7.85 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).

Density7.85 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,420°C2,588 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,500°C2,732 °F

Mechanical13

MS1700 has a yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,780 MPa (258 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades. Elongation at break is 4% and the elastic modulus is 210 GPa (30.5 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus210 GPa30.5 Msi
Shear Modulus80 GPa11.6 Msi
Bulk Modulus160 GPa23.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.3
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,780 MPa258 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,450 MPa210 ksi
Elongation at Break4%
Compressive Strength1,450 MPa210 ksi
Shear Strength1,050 MPa152 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)700 MPa102 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)50 MPa·√m45.5 ksi·√in
Hardness, Rockwell C50 HRC
Hardness, Vickers520 HV

Thermal6

MS1700 is rated for continuous service to 200°C (392 °F). It conducts heat at 32 W/m·K (18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 82% of steel grades. Thermal expansion is 12.5 µm/m·K (6.94 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity32 W/m·K18.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity470 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)12.5 µm/m·K6.9 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion270 J/g116 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)200°C392 °F
Min Service Temperature-40°C-40 °F

Electrical3

MS1700 conducts electricity at 8 % IACS, better than 55% of steel grades.

Electrical Conductivity8 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity2.2×10⁻⁷ Ω·m8.66 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responseferromagnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is not recommended (12/100), worse than 53% of steel grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.6 V
Corrosion ResistanceNot recommended12/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryNo inherent corrosion resistance: rusts in humid air and must be phosphated/e-coated, painted or zinc-coated. High-strength martensite is susceptible to hydrogen embrittlement and stress-corrosion cracking, so avoid acid pickling, aggressive cathodic plating and chloride-rich standing water on bent edges.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of MS1700 takes about 30 MJ of energy and emits 2.3 kg of CO₂ — more than 56% of steel grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)30 MJ/kg12,898 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)2.3 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water45 L/kg5.4 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability7

MS1700's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability not recommended (12/100).

MachinabilityPoor20/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityGood55/100
Formability (cold)Not recommended12/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor30/100
PolishabilityGood55/100
Anodizing Responsen/a — ferrous alloy; use zinc coating, phosphate + e-coat or paint instead

Common Calculations5

Specific Strength (UTS / density)calculated227 kN·m/kg
Specific Stiffness (E / density)calculated26.8 MN·m/kg
Modulus of Resiliencecalculated5,006 kJ/m³
Thermal Diffusivitycalculated8.7 mm²/s
Thermal Shock Resistance Indexcalculated22

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. MS1700 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.

2005001,0002,0007.588.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleMS1700

Working with MS1700

Is MS1700 easy to machine?

Treat as ~50 HRC tool steel: laser or die cutting is preferred over drilling/milling; use rigid setups, coated carbide or PCBN, low feeds, and expect rapid edge wear and high punching forces (large die clearance, sheared-edge cracking risk).

Can MS1700 be welded?

Resistance spot welding and laser welding are routine with reduced current/short times, but the HAZ tempers and softens, so keep heat input low, avoid multi-pass arc welding, and never rely on weld metal for full base-metal strength.

Can MS1700 be formed, bent or molded?

Roll forming or simple air bending only, with generous bend radii (roughly 4–6× thickness, transverse to rolling direction), high tonnage, springback compensation and deburred/laser-cut edges; not suitable for deep drawing.

Manufacturability

The process limits FabDigit applies to MS1700. Every MS1700 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.

Sheet metal

FormabilityFair12 / 100
WeldabilityFair55 / 100
BendableYes

MS1700 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Cgoverns as-quenched martensite hardness≤ 0.250.22
Si≤ 0.50.25
Mnhardenability≤ 21.7
P≤ 0.020.01
S≤ 0.010
Aldeoxidation0.02 – 0.10.04
Cr+Mohardenability additions, mill dependent≤ 10.3
Nb+Tigrain refinement / B protection≤ 0.150.04
B≤ 0.010
Febalance

What surface finishes work on MS1700?

Supplied bare and rust-prone: phosphate plus e-coat, powder paint, or zinc-rich primer; avoid acid pickling and electroplating that charge hydrogen into this strength level.

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).

Equivalent designations

Standards and trade names that resolve to Steel MS1700 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.

Similar grades
HDT1500M

How much does MS1700 cost?

MS1700 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% 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.

MS1700 — frequently asked

What is MS1700 used for?

MS1700 is typically used for bumper beams, door intrusion beams, rocker and sill reinforcements, B-pillar reinforcements, seat cross-members and roll-formed side-impact tubes. In short: premium martensitic sheet.

What is the yield strength of MS1700?

MS1700 has a typical yield strength of 1,450 MPa (210 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,780 MPa (258 ksi) — stronger than 97% of steel grades.

Is MS1700 easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 97% of steel grades). Treat as ~50 HRC tool steel: laser or die cutting is preferred over drilling/milling; use rigid setups, coated carbide or PCBN, low feeds, and expect rapid edge wear and high punching forces (large die clearance, sheared-edge cracking risk).

Can MS1700 be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Resistance spot welding and laser welding are routine with reduced current/short times, but the HAZ tempers and softens, so keep heat input low, avoid multi-pass arc welding, and never rely on weld metal for full base-metal strength.

What surface finishes work on MS1700?

Supplied bare and rust-prone: phosphate plus e-coat, powder paint, or zinc-rich primer; avoid acid pickling and electroplating that charge hydrogen into this strength level.

Can MS1700 be formed, bent or molded?

Roll forming or simple air bending only, with generous bend radii (roughly 4–6× thickness, transverse to rolling direction), high tonnage, springback compensation and deburred/laser-cut edges; not suitable for deep drawing.

What is the maximum service temperature of MS1700?

MS1700 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.

How much does MS1700 cost?

MS1700 is a standard-cost steel ($$), cheaper than about 61% 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 MS1700?

Yes — MS1700 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

  1. VDA 239-100 Sheet Steel for Cold Forming (CR1500Y1700T-MS) — VDA (2016)
  2. Docol 1700M cold-rolled martensitic steel data sheet — SSAB (2023)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 1: Properties and Selection — Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
  4. Advanced High-Strength Steels Application Guidelines — WorldAutoSteel (2021)

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.