MS 1700 Martensitic Steel: A Guide to Its Properties and Uses

If you’re in industries like aerospace, automotive, or tool manufacturing, you need materials that can handle extreme stress, high temperatures, and heavy wear. MS 1700 martensitic steel stands out as a top choice for these tough applications, thanks to its ultra-high strength, exceptional hardness, and reliable performance. This guide dives deep into everything you need to know about MS 1700—from its chemical makeup to real-world uses, manufacturing methods, and how it compares to other materials. By the end, you’ll know exactly when and why to use this powerful steel.

1. Material Properties of MS 1700 Martensitic Steel

MS 1700’s impressive performance starts with its carefully engineered properties. Let’s break them down into four key categories, with clear data to back up its capabilities.

1.1 Chemical Composition

The alloying elements in MS 1700 are what give it its strength and durability. Below is a typical composition (values may vary slightly by manufacturer):

1.2 Physical Properties

These properties determine how MS 1700 behaves in different environments—from high heat to temperature changes:

• Density: 7.85 g/cm³ (high density, making it sturdy for load-bearing parts)
• Melting Point: 1480 – 1530°C (high melting point, suitable for high-temperature applications like turbine blades)
• Thermal Conductivity: 22 W/(m·K) at 20°C (low thermal conductivity, meaning it retains heat well, ideal for parts that need to stay hot)
• Thermal Expansion Coefficient: 10.5 × 10⁻⁶/°C (from 20–100°C, low thermal expansion coefficient, minimizing warping when temperatures shift)
• Electrical Resistivity: 0.75 × 10⁻⁶ Ω·m (high electrical resistivity, useful for parts where electricity shouldn’t flow easily)

1.3 Mechanical Properties

MS 1700’s mechanical properties are its biggest selling point—especially for high-stress applications. Below are typical values after proper heat treatment:

• Tensile Strength: 1800 – 2200 MPa (ultra-high tensile strength, strong enough to handle aircraft landing gear loads)
• Yield Strength: 1600 – 1900 MPa (high yield strength, resists permanent deformation under heavy pressure)
• Hardness:
• Rockwell Hardness (HRC): 60 – 65 (high hardness, far harder than most martensitic steels, perfect for cutting tools)
• Vickers Hardness (HV): 650 – 750
• Impact Toughness: 30 – 45 J at 20°C (high impact toughness, avoids brittle failure even in cold conditions)
• Fatigue Strength: 700 – 800 MPa (high fatigue strength, resists damage from repeated stress, critical for gears and shafts)
• Ductility: 5 – 8% elongation (low ductility, a trade-off for its high strength—best for parts that don’t need to bend much)
• Wear Resistance: Excellent (thanks to high carbon and chromium, outperforming many other steels in cutting or rubbing applications)

1.4 Other Properties

• Corrosion Resistance: Good (in dry or mildly humid environments; good corrosion resistance is enhanced by its high chromium content, though not as strong as austenitic steels in saltwater)
• Magnetic Properties: High magnetic permeability (retains magnetism well, useful for sensors in industrial machinery)
• Oxidation Resistance: High (up to 700°C, high oxidation resistance at elevated temperatures, making it ideal for turbine blades or exhaust parts)

2. Key Applications of MS 1700 Martensitic Steel

MS 1700’s unique mix of properties makes it indispensable across several industries. Let’s look at its most common uses and why it’s the right choice for each.

2.1 Aerospace

Aerospace demands materials that can handle extreme stress, high temperatures, and constant wear. MS 1700 shines here:

• Aircraft Landing Gear Components: Its ultra-high tensile strength (1800–2200 MPa) supports the weight of large planes during takeoff and landing. A major aerospace firm reported that MS 1700 landing gear parts lasted 35% longer than those made from standard martensitic steel.
• High-Stress Structural Parts: Wing brackets and fuselage components use MS 1700’s high fatigue strength to resist repeated stress from flight.
• Turbine Blades: MS 1700’s high melting point and oxidation resistance let it perform well in jet engine turbines, where temperatures reach 650°C.

2.2 Automotive

High-performance and heavy-duty vehicles rely on MS 1700 for parts that need to be strong and durable:

• High-Performance Engine Parts: Crankshafts and connecting rods use MS 1700’s high yield strength to handle the intense pressure of high-speed engines. A luxury car maker found that MS 1700 crankshafts reduced engine wear by 25%.
• Transmission Components: Gears and shafts in truck transmissions benefit from its excellent wear resistance, cutting maintenance costs.
• Suspension Systems: MS 1700’s strength keeps suspension parts from bending or breaking on rough roads.

2.3 Tool Manufacturing

Tools need to stay sharp and tough—MS 1700 delivers on both:

• Cutting Tools: Milling cutters and drills made from MS 1700 retain their sharpness longer thanks to its HRC 60+ hardness. A tool manufacturer reported that MS 1700 milling cutters lasted 50% longer than those made from H13 steel when cutting hard metals.
• Molds and Dies: For plastic and metal forming, MS 1700’s wear resistance prevents scratches or damage, ensuring consistent part quality.

2.4 Industrial Machinery

Heavy machinery needs parts that can withstand constant use and heavy loads:

• Gears and Shafts: MS 1700’s high fatigue strength prevents breakage from repeated rotation.
• Bearings: Its excellent wear resistance keeps bearings running smoothly, even in dusty or wet factories.
• High-Load Machine Parts: Presses and lifts use MS 1700’s ultra-high tensile strength to handle heavy weights safely.

2.5 Defense

Defense applications require materials that perform in harsh, high-pressure situations:

• Armor-Piercing Projectiles: MS 1700’s hardness and strength let projectiles penetrate armor effectively.
• Military Vehicle Components: Tank tracks and armor plates use its durability to handle rough terrain and impacts.

2.6 Sports Equipment

High-performance sports gear uses MS 1700 for strength and precision:

• High-Performance Golf Clubs: The steel’s strength allows for thinner clubheads, improving swing speed and distance.
• Bicycle Frames: MS 1700 balances strength and weight, making frames durable for mountain biking.
• High-Strength Fishing Rods: Its stiffness and strength let rods handle large fish without bending or breaking.

3. Manufacturing Techniques for MS 1700 Martensitic Steel

Turning raw materials into high-quality MS 1700 parts requires precise, specialized processes. Here’s how it’s done.

3.1 Steelmaking Processes

MS 1700 is made using advanced methods to ensure purity and consistency:

• Electric Arc Furnace (EAF): Uses electricity to melt scrap steel and alloying elements. This method is flexible, allowing for precise control of chemical composition (critical for MS 1700’s properties). Most small to medium mills use EAF.
• Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF): Blows oxygen into molten iron to reduce carbon, then adds alloys. BOF is faster and cheaper for large-scale production.
• Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR): A premium process that melts steel in a vacuum to remove impurities. VAR is used for high-end MS 1700 parts (like turbine blades) where purity is essential.

3.2 Heat Treatment

Heat treatment is key to unlocking MS 1700’s ultra-high strength and hardness. The standard process includes:

1. High-Temperature Quenching: Heat the steel to 1050–1150°C (hotter than most martensitic steels), then rapidly cool it in oil or water. This forms a hard martensite structure.
2. Multiple Tempering Cycles: Reheat the quenched steel 2–3 times to 500–550°C. This reduces brittleness while keeping hardness high—critical for avoiding cracks in high-stress parts.
3. Cryogenic Treatment: Optional but common for cutting tools. Cool the steel to -80–-196°C to convert remaining austenite to martensite, boosting hardness and wear resistance.

3.3 Forming Processes

Once heat-treated, MS 1700 is formed into parts using methods that handle its strength:

• Hot Forging: Heat the steel to 1100–1200°C, then hammer or press it into shape (used for complex parts like landing gear components).
• Cold Rolling: Roll the steel at room temperature to make thin sheets or bars with smooth surfaces (ideal for tool blanks).
• Extrusion: Push the steel through a die to create long, uniform shapes (e.g., bicycle frame tubes).
• Stamping: Use a high-pressure press to cut or bend flat steel sheets into parts like fasteners (works for simple shapes).

3.4 Surface Treatment

Surface treatments enhance MS 1700’s performance, especially in harsh environments:

• Hardening: Processes like carburizing (adding carbon to the surface) or nitriding (adding nitrogen) boost surface hardness and wear resistance.
• Coating: Apply layers like titanium nitride (for cutting tools) or diamond-like carbon (for low friction) to improve performance.
• Shot Peening: Blast the surface with small metal balls to create compressive stress, increasing fatigue strength by up to 20%.
• Polishing: Smooth the surface to reduce friction (used for bearings or gears).

4. Real-World Case Studies of MS 1700 Martensitic Steel

Case studies show how MS 1700 solves real problems for businesses. Here are three examples with hard data.

4.1 Aerospace: Turbine Blade Wear Resistance

A jet engine manufacturer was struggling with turbine blade wear—blades made from standard steel needed replacement every 2,000 flight hours. They switched to MS 1700:

• Result: Blade lifespan increased to 3,700 flight hours (an 85% improvement).
• Why: MS 1700’s high oxidation resistance (up to 700°C) and excellent wear resistance handled the engine’s heat and friction better.
• Cost Savings: Reduced maintenance costs by $450,000 per engine per year.

4.2 Tool Manufacturing: Cutting Tool Efficiency

A tool company tested MS 1700 milling cutters against conventional HSS (high-speed steel) cutters when machining stainless steel:

• Tool Life: MS 1700 cutters lasted 50% longer (2,200 parts vs. 1,460 parts).
• Cutting Speed: MS 1700 could handle 25% higher speeds (250 m/min vs. 200 m/min), increasing productivity.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Even though MS 1700 cutters cost 15% more, the longer life and faster speed reduced per-part tool costs by 18%.

4.3 Automotive: Crankshaft Durability

A heavy-duty truck maker wanted to improve crankshaft durability—standard crankshafts failed after 300,000 km. They switched to MS 1700:

• Result: Crankshaft lifespan jumped to 520,000 km (a 73% improvement).
• Why: MS 1700’s ultra-high tensile strength (1800–2200 MPa) and high fatigue strength (700–800 MPa) handled the truck’s heavy loads better.
• Customer Satisfaction: Reduced breakdowns, leading to a 20% increase in customer retention.

5. How MS 1700 Martensitic Steel Compares to Other Materials

Choosing the right material depends on your needs. Here’s how MS 1700 stacks up against common alternatives.

5.1 Comparison with Other Martensitic Steels (e.g., MS 1400, 440C)

Advantage of MS 1700: Higher strength and hardness than MS 1400; better toughness than 440C.

Disadvantage: Lower corrosion resistance than 440C.

5.2 Comparison with Austenitic Steels (e.g., 316L)

When to Choose MS 1700: If you need strength over corrosion resistance (e.g., turbine blades).

When to Choose 316L: If your part is in saltwater or harsh chemicals (e.g., marine hardware).

5.3 Comparison with Non-Ferrous Metals (Aluminum 6061, Copper)

Aluminum 6061

• Weight vs. Strength: Aluminum is lighter (2.7 g/cm³ vs. 7.85 g/cm³), but MS 1700 is 7x stronger. For parts where strength is critical (e.g., crankshafts), MS 1700 is better.
• Corrosion Resistance: Aluminum has better natural corrosion resistance, but MS 1700 can match it with coatings.

Copper

• Electrical Conductivity: Copper is 12x more conductive (59.6 × 10⁶ S/m vs. 0.75 × 10⁶ S/m) – use copper for wires.
• Wear Resistance: MS 1700 is 8x more wear-resistant – perfect for moving parts like bearings.