Material specification

MIL-S-5000 (AMS-S-5000)

The military specification for chrome-nickel-molybdenum (E4340) steel bars and reforging stock. It was cancelled in 2000 in favor of SAE AMS-S-5000, which was itself cancelled in 2007.

15,078 NSNs in DLA's catalog cite this spec. See the catalog data

What MIL-S-5000 covers

MIL-S-5000 covers E4340 steel bars and reforging stock, the material behind many of the aircraft bolts and pin-rivets in DLA's catalog.

It is still cited on 15,078 NSNs in DLA's catalog, mostly shear bolts, pin-rivets and close-tolerance screws, and most of them are cadmium plated.

What the catalog callouts name

Composition
E4340 chrome-nickel-molybdenum steel. Some catalog callouts add the composition (4340) explicitly.
Conditions
Catalog records that give a condition most often name Condition C and Condition C4.

Status and revisions

MIL-S-5000E, dated 12 November 1982, was cancelled by Notice 2 on 11 August 2000, which directs future acquisition to SAE AMS-S-5000, "Steel, Chrome-Nickel-Molybdenum (E4340) bars and reforging stock".

SAE AMS-S-5000 was issued in March 1999 and cancelled in March 2007. SAE's record does not name a replacement; Parker Hannifin's published supersession table (BPS4000, Appendix A) lists AMS 6415 and AMS 6484 for this material.

Typical applications

  • Shear bolts, pin-rivets and close-tolerance screws lead DLA's catalog, followed by internal wrenching bolts, shoulder bolts and sleeve bushings.
  • Cadmium plating with chromate is the finish most often called out with it.

What a shop needs to supply to MIL-S-5000

  • Both MIL-S-5000 and AMS-S-5000 are cancelled. Ask the buyer which current material spec they will accept before buying bar for a drawing that names either one.
  • Expect cadmium plating and the hydrogen embrittlement controls that come with plating high-strength steel. See QQ-P-416.

The purchase order, drawing and the revision of the spec it invokes govern. Always work from the revision your contract names.

MIL-S-5000 in the DLA catalog

From DLA's public PUB LOG catalog, release 2026-10-27, covering 16 hardware and mechanical supply groups (fasteners, bearings, fittings, valves, power transmission, engine components and more).

15,078
NSNs whose catalog record cites MIL-S-5000
49%
coded open to new sources (7,454 NSNs): at least one managing service codes it AMC 1 or 2 with AMSC G
31%
coded for existing or approved sources (4,706 NSNs)

Most common items

Bolt, shear5,067
Pin-rivet3,831
Screw, close tolerance1,844
Bolt, internal wrenching541
Bolt, shoulder433
Bushing, sleeve378
Screw, cap, socket head358
Screw, shoulder315
Bolt, close tolerance259
Bolt, machine167

Federal supply classes

5306 Bolts6,606
5320 Rivets3,851
5305 Screws2,567
3120 Bearings, plain, unmounted543
5310 Nuts and washers485
5315 Nails, machine keys, and pins235
3020 Gears, pulleys, sprockets, and transmission chain211
5307 Studs123

Can a new source win these parts?

DLA codes each part with an acquisition method (AMC) and a suffix (AMSC). We count an NSN as open when at least one managing service codes it AMC 1 or 2 (competitive) with suffix G (the government has the full technical data and the rights to use it). Otherwise we count it as restricted when a service codes it AMC 3, 4 or 5 (buy from the manufacturer or prime) or uses a suffix that limits or conditions who can supply it (AMSC B, C, D, H, K, L, P, Q, R, T, U or Y): missing data or rights, source-control drawings, source or QPL approval, controlled castings, uneconomical breakout, an unstable design, or low-value screening for known sources. These are catalog codes; the solicitation always governs.

Open: AMC 1 or 2 with AMSC G7,45449%
Restricted: AMC 3, 4 or 5, or a restrictive AMSC4,70631%
Other acquisition codes5564%
No acquisition method in the catalog2,36216%

As of PUB LOG release 2026-10-27. How to read the codes: AMC and AMSC codes explained.

How catalog records call it out

Characteristic records that cite MIL-S-5000 or AMS-S-5000, grouped by the type, class or condition they name. Counted across the most common callout spellings, so the totals are a floor.

Not specified14,254
Condition C172
Condition C480

Finishes called out on these parts

  • Cadmium and chromate (overall) 8,824
  • Cadmium (overall) 3,590
  • Cadmium (body) 96
  • Cadmium and chromate (fastener) 91
  • Cadmium (threads) 78
  • Cadmium or chromate (overall) 74
  • Cadmium and chromate (threads) 69
  • Cadmium (head) 57

Sample NSNs that cite MIL-S-5000

Steel machine shops in the directory

85 listed shops report this capability. Confirm the spec, revision and any approvals with the shop before you order.

See all steel machine shops

Frequently asked questions

Is MIL-S-5000 cancelled?

Yes. MIL-S-5000E was cancelled on 11 August 2000, and future acquisition was directed to SAE AMS-S-5000. AMS-S-5000 was itself cancelled in March 2007.

What replaced AMS-S-5000?

SAE's record does not name a replacement. Parker Hannifin's published supersession table lists AMS 6415 and AMS 6484. Confirm the substitute with your buyer.

What material is MIL-S-5000?

Chrome-nickel-molybdenum (E4340) steel bars and reforging stock.

How many DLA parts cite MIL-S-5000?

15,078 NSNs in DLA's PUB LOG catalog (release 2026-10-27, 16 hardware and mechanical supply groups), led by shear bolts and pin-rivets.

Related

Sources