Ford Recommended Steel Repairability Matrix

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2018 Ford Flex. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

Grade

Trade Descriptions

Welding Method

Cold Repairs

Use of Heat for Repair

Temperature Range

Maximum Heat

Metal Inert Gas(MIG)

Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot Welding(STRW)

MIG Braze

Mild Steel

Mild

Yes

N/A

Yes ⁽¹⁾

Yes

Up to 650 deg.C (1, 200 deg.F)

90 sec. x 2

Laminate Steel

Quiet Steel

Yes

Yes ⁽¹⁾

N/A

Bake Hardened Steel(BH)

BH 180, BH 210, BH 250, BH 280

Yes

Yes ⁽²⁾

Yes ⁽¹⁾

Yes

Up to 650 deg.C (1, 200 deg.F)

90 sec. x 2

Solid Solution Strengthened

Yes

Yes ⁽²⁾

Yes ⁽¹⁾

Yes

Up to 650 deg. C (1, 200 deg.F)

90 sec. x 2

High-Strength Low Alloy(HSLA)

HSLA 250, HSLA 350, HSLA 550

Yes

Yes ⁽²⁾

Yes ⁽¹⁾

Yes

Up to 650 deg.C (1, 200 deg.F)

90 sec. x 2

Dual Phase Steel(DP)

DP 500 class, DP 600 class

Yes

Yes ⁽²⁾

Yes ⁽¹⁾

N/A

DP ⁽³⁾

DP 700 class, DP 900 class and DP 1, 000 class

Yes ⁽⁴⁾

Yes

Yes ⁽²⁾

N/A

Ultra High Strength Steel(UHSS) (Martensitic, Boron) ⁽⁵⁾

Boron

Yes ⁽¹⁾

Yes

Yes ⁽²⁾

N/A

Transformation Induced Plasticity Steel(TRIP)

TRIP 590, TRIP 780, TRIP 980

N/A

⁽¹⁾	Cold repairs can be performed if damage excludes kinks. May section only if approved procedure in the Service Information.

⁽²⁾	MIG braze allowed for non-structural applications only.

⁽³⁾	Dual phase steels DP 700, DP 780, DP 980 and DP 1000 must be replaced at factory joints, no sectioning unless approved procedure in the Service Information.

⁽⁴⁾	For DP 980 and DP 1, 000 class, use Metal Inert Gas(MIG) plug welding only, no stitch welding.

⁽⁵⁾	Boron components must be replaced at factory joints, no sectioning allowed.