MS FLAT
Description
MS Flat Bars (Mild Steel Flat / MS Patti) | IS 2062 / IS 1730 Certified
India's Most Versatile Mild Steel Section for Fabrication, Construction & Industrial Applications
Overview
MS Flat Bars, commonly known as MS Flats, MS Patti, or Mild Steel Flat Bars, are rectangular cross-section mild steel bars hot-rolled from low-carbon steel conforming to IS 2062 — India's primary structural steel standard. With a flat, smooth surface and uniform rectangular profile, MS Flats are one of the most universally used steel sections in India, valued by fabricators, contractors, engineers, and manufacturers for their outstanding versatility, ease of working, and cost-effectiveness.
Dimensioned and toleranced as per IS 1730:1989, MS Flats are specified by their width x thickness in millimeters — for example, 50 x 6 mm denotes a flat bar 50 mm wide and 6 mm thick. Unlike angles or channels that provide structural support along multiple planes, the flat bar's simple rectangular geometry makes it exceptionally easy to cut, punch, drill, bend, weld, and form into virtually any shape or configuration — making it the go-to raw material for a vast range of fabrication applications across industries.
We stock ISI-certified MS Flat Bars in IS 2062 Grade E250 and E350, available across a wide range of widths and thicknesses for immediate supply.
Why MS Flat Bars Are a Fabricator's First Choice
The MS Flat Bar's popularity stems from its unmatched combination of properties that no other steel section can fully replicate:
- Simple Geometry — The clean rectangular profile makes it easy to work with using standard workshop tools — no special cutting jigs or complex setups required
- Maximum Weldability — Flat, wide surfaces provide maximum contact area for welding, enabling strong, clean joints with minimal distortion
- Easy to Bend & Form — Can be cold-bent, hot-formed, or press-braked into brackets, hooks, clamps, and custom profiles without cracking or delamination
- Stackable & Space-Efficient — Flat profile allows compact bundling and stacking, reducing storage space and transportation costs
- Widely Available — One of the most stocked steel sections across distributors, stockists, and steel service centres in India, ensuring fast procurement and short lead times
- Cost-Effective — Delivers reliable structural and fabrication performance at among the lowest cost per kilogram of any steel section
Understanding the Standards
IS 1730 : 1989
The primary Indian Standard governing the dimensions, tolerances, and sectional properties of mild steel flat bars, plates, and sheet products. IS 1730 specifies the exact width, thickness, length, and dimensional tolerances for every standard flat bar size, ensuring consistent interchangeability across manufacturers and suppliers.
IS 2062 : 2011
Governs the chemical composition, mechanical properties, and quality requirements of hot-rolled mild steel used to manufacture MS Flat Bars. Ensures minimum yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and impact toughness are met consistently across all grades (E250, E350, E450).
Together, IS 1730 defines what the flat bar looks like, and IS 2062 defines what it is made of.
Grades Available — IS 2062
| Grade | Also Known As | Min. Yield Strength | Min. Tensile Strength | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| E250 (BR/BO/C) | Fe 410W | 250 MPa | 410 MPa | General fabrication, light structures, grills, gates, frames |
| E350 (BR/BO/C) | Fe 490W | 350 MPa | 490 MPa | Heavy fabrication, industrial structures, machinery bases |
| E450 | Fe 570W | 450 MPa | 570 MPa | High-load applications, crane components, heavy engineering |
Most commonly stocked and specified grade: IS 2062 E250 (BR) — the standard choice for general fabrication and construction across India.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Standard – Dimensions | IS 1730 : 1989 |
| Standard – Material | IS 2062 : 2011 |
| Grades | E250 (BR/BO/C), E350 (BR/BO/C), E450 |
| Width Range | 12 mm to 200 mm |
| Thickness Range | 3 mm to 50 mm |
| Standard Lengths | 6 m (other lengths available on request) |
| Manufacturing Process | Hot Rolling |
| Surface Finish | Black Mill Finish (standard); Red Oxide Primer, Galvanized on request |
| Weight Formula | Width (mm) × Thickness (mm) × 0.00000785 kg/mm³ × Length (mm) |
| HSN Code | 7216 |
MS Flat Bar — Size & Weight Reference Chart
| Width x Thickness (mm) | Weight (kg/m) |
|---|---|
| 12 x 3 | 0.28 |
| 20 x 3 | 0.47 |
| 20 x 5 | 0.78 |
| 25 x 3 | 0.59 |
| 25 x 5 | 0.98 |
| 25 x 6 | 1.18 |
| 32 x 5 | 1.26 |
| 32 x 6 | 1.51 |
| 40 x 5 | 1.57 |
| 40 x 6 | 1.88 |
| 50 x 5 | 1.96 |
| 50 x 6 | 2.36 |
| 50 x 8 | 3.14 |
| 50 x 10 | 3.93 |
| 65 x 6 | 3.06 |
| 65 x 8 | 4.08 |
| 75 x 6 | 3.53 |
| 75 x 8 | 4.71 |
| 75 x 10 | 5.89 |
| 100 x 8 | 6.28 |
| 100 x 10 | 7.85 |
| 100 x 12 | 9.42 |
| 150 x 10 | 11.78 |
| 150 x 12 | 14.13 |
| 200 x 12 | 18.84 |
Weight (kg/m) = Width (mm) × Thickness (mm) × 0.00785. All weights are theoretical. Actual weights may vary marginally within rolling tolerances.
Mechanical Properties
| Property | E250 (Fe 410W) | E350 (Fe 490W) | E450 (Fe 570W) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. Yield Strength | 250 MPa | 350 MPa | 450 MPa |
| Min. Tensile Strength | 410 MPa | 490 MPa | 570 MPa |
| Min. Elongation | 23% | 22% | 20% |
| Charpy Impact (min.) | 27 J at 0°C | 27 J at 0°C | 27 J at 0°C |
Chemical Composition
| Element | E250 (max.) | E350 (max.) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | 0.23% | 0.20% |
| Manganese (Mn) | 1.50% | 1.55% |
| Silicon (Si) | 0.40% | 0.45% |
| Sulfur (S) | 0.045% | 0.045% |
| Phosphorus (P) | 0.045% | 0.045% |
| Carbon Equivalent (CE) | 0.42% max. | 0.42% max. |
Low carbon content ensures excellent weldability — MS Flat Bars can be welded using MIG, TIG, arc, and gas welding without pre-heating in most standard applications.
Applications
MS Flat Bars are specified across virtually every fabrication, construction, and industrial sector due to their versatility and ease of use:
Construction & Structural:
- Lintels, window sills, and door frame supports
- Stair nosings, treads, and railing base plates
- Anchor bolts, base plate packs, and shimming strips
- Concrete formwork supports, ties, and spacers
- Flitch plates and connection plates in timber-steel composite structures
General Fabrication:
- Gate frames, grills, railings, and security screens
- Brackets, cleats, and shelf supports
- Straps, clamps, ties, and holddown plates
- Machine guards, covers, and access panels
- Steel furniture frames, trolleys, and material handling equipment
Industrial & Engineering:
- Machine bases, equipment frames, and skid structures
- Conveyor side frames and structural supports
- Cable tray support bars and electrical cable management structures
- Crane bogie frames and rail fixing clamps
- Boiler supports, pressure vessel saddles, and pipe clamps
Automotive & Transportation:
- Truck trailer side rails and body reinforcements
- Bus body floor runners and chassis stiffeners
- Tipping body hinge plates and tail gate frames
- Agricultural machinery frames and implement linkages
Electrical & Utility:
- Earthing / grounding strips and earth bus bars
- Busbar supports and electrical panel framework
- Transformer core clamping plates and magnetic shielding strips
- Tower and pole cross-arm flat components
Miscellaneous:
- Spring steel and flat spring components (higher grade)
- Ship building flat bar keel and frame supports
- Bright bar feedstock for turned and polished flat bars
- Key stock and keyway flat bar for mechanical drives
MS Flat vs Other Steel Sections — Quick Comparison
| Section | Cross-Section | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| MS Flat | Rectangular | Fabrication, brackets, straps, general use |
| MS Angle | L-shaped | Corner joints, structural framing, towers |
| MS Channel | C-shaped | Beams, rails, linear load-bearing members |
| MS Square Bar | Square | Shafts, grills, ornamental fabrication |
| MS Round Bar | Circular | Bolts, pins, shafts, ornamental work |
Applicable Standards & Certifications
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| IS 1730 : 1989 | Dimensions for Steel Plates, Sheets, Strips, and Flats for General Engineering |
| IS 2062 : 2011 | Hot Rolled Medium and High Tensile Structural Steel Specification |
| EN 10058 | European standard for hot-rolled flat bars in mild steel |
| ASTM A36 | American equivalent structural steel grade (closest to IS 2062 E250) |
| BS EN 10025 | British / European equivalent for hot-rolled structural steel flat products |
All MS Flat Bars are supplied with ISI / BIS certification and Mill Test Certificates (MTC) as per EN 10204 3.1 on request.
How to Choose the Right Grade
| Use Case | Recommended Grade |
|---|---|
| General fabrication, gates, grills, light structures, brackets | IS 2062 E250 BR (Most Popular) |
| Heavy machinery frames, industrial sheds, high-load fabrications | IS 2062 E350 BR |
| Crane components, heavy engineering, dynamic load applications | IS 2062 E450 |
How to Calculate MS Flat Bar Weight
Use this simple formula to estimate the weight of any MS Flat Bar:
Weight (kg/m) = Width (mm) × Thickness (mm) × 0.00785
Example: For a 50 x 6 mm flat bar:
50 × 6 × 0.00785 = 2.355 kg per metre
For total weight of a bundle or specific length:
Total Weight (kg) = Weight per metre × Total Length (m)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What is the IS code for MS Flat Bars? MS Flat Bars are governed by two standards: IS 1730:1989 for dimensions and tolerances, and IS 2062:2011 for material grade, chemical composition, and mechanical properties. IS 2062 Grade E250 is the most commonly specified grade.
Q: What is the most popular size of MS Flat Bar in India? The most widely used sizes in India are 25 x 6 mm, 50 x 6 mm, 75 x 6 mm, and 100 x 8 mm — these cover the bulk of general fabrication, construction, and industrial requirements. However, availability varies by region and stockist.
Q: What is the difference between MS Flat Bar and MS Plate? Both have a rectangular cross-section. MS Flat Bars are narrower sections (typically up to 200 mm wide) supplied in long bar lengths (6 m+), primarily used in fabrication. MS Plates are wider, larger flat products supplied in sheet or plate dimensions and are used for structural plating, base plates, and heavy fabrication.
Q: Can MS Flat Bars be galvanized? Yes. MS Flat Bars can be hot-dip galvanized after fabrication for superior corrosion protection, making them suitable for outdoor, coastal, and agricultural applications. Pre-painted or primer-coated flats are also available for mildly corrosive environments.
Q: What is the standard length of MS Flat Bars? Standard supply length is 6 meters. Custom cut-to-length is available on request to reduce on-site waste and preparation time.
Q: What is the HSN Code for MS Flat Bars? The HSN Code for MS Flat Bars (hot-rolled steel flat products) is 7216.
Q: How is MS Flat Bar different from MS Square Bar? MS Flat Bar has a rectangular cross-section where width is greater than thickness (e.g., 50 x 6 mm). MS Square Bar has equal width and thickness (e.g., 20 x 20 mm). Flat bars are preferred for straps, plates, and surface-mounted fabrication; square bars are used for shafts, grills, and ornamental work.
MS Flat Bars — ISI Certified. Hot Rolled. The Most Versatile Section in Every Fabricator's Workshop.
Key Features
- Available in Wide Range of Widths & Thicknesses
- Coatings Available — Primer, Paint, Galvanized on Request
- Consistent Dimensional Accuracy
- Cost-Effective — Economical Per Kg vs. Other Sections
- Easy to Cut, Drill, Punch & Bend
- High Tensile Strength up to 570 MPa
- ISI Certified — IS 1730 / IS 2062 Compliant
- Mill Test Certificates (MTC) Available on Request
- Outstanding Weldability
- Smooth Flat Surface for Clean Joints & Finishes
