DFARS Compliant Maraging Steel for Mission-Critical Parts
Jan 14th 2026
When you spec DFARS compliant maraging steel for your program, you expect more than a grade on a cert. You expect real strength, predictable lead times, and verifiable compliance, because your parts cannot fail. You need confidence that your material is melted domestically, rolled correctly, and tested before you ever see it.
Maraging C250 and C300 sit in a different class than many high-strength alloys you might be used to. As Bob Shabala explains, “We sell Maraging C250 and C300. The name indicates the strength of the steel. C250 is 250 KSI yield strength, and C300 is 300 KSI yield strength compared to 200 KSI for 4340VAR.” That level of performance is why DFARS compliant maraging steel shows up in the most demanding applications.
What maraging steel does for aerospace and defense
If your parts live in environments where failure is not an option, DFARS compliant maraging steel gives you an edge. Bob describes it clearly: “The industries we supply maraging steel to—primarily aerospace and defense—use it in critical applications that require extremely high strength, reduced weight, and absolute reliability with no tolerance for failure.”
You see maraging steels not only in aerospace and defense but also in other punishing environments. Bob notes, “Other applications would be high performance motor sports. I know they use maraging steel in springs, joints, or couplings in Formula One or NASCAR. So that's another industry that benefits from the strength of maraging and sporting sporting goods. There's also golf equipment companies that use C300 in some of their high performance irons.”
If maraging steel can survive motorsports, golf impact, and flight-critical structures, it is well suited to your high-value aerospace and defense assemblies, especially when you insist on DFARS compliant maraging steel.
Why DFARS compliant maraging steel must be domestic
For aerospace and defense work, DFARS is non-negotiable. You cannot afford uncertainty in melt origin or paperwork. Bob spells it out: “All our maraging is sourced domestically. Our main supplier is Carpenter Technology, definitely DFARS (Defense, Federal Acquisition Regulation supplement) Compliant. So it's just a fancy way of saying that it's coming from a domestic or allied source for which is really important for our aerospace and defense customers.”
When you choose DFARS compliant maraging steel, you remove an entire category of risk from your program. You know your steel is melted in the right places, documented correctly, and aligned with your customer’s contractual requirements.
How inventory and lead times protect your schedule
You probably don’t want to sit in a warehouse full of expensive material. With DFARS compliant maraging steel, carrying months of inventory can tie up cash and floor space. Bob understands that reality: “We understand that maraging is an expensive alloy, and that people don't want to hold a lot of inventory, so we take that on ourselves.”
Instead of asking you to overbuy, Niagara keeps the billet ready so you can order what you actually need. Bob explains your typical experience: “typically, a plate we can have processed in three weeks. Anything under half inch would be six weeks. And then you have to add the testing time on that which would be anywhere from two to four weeks, depending on the backlog at the testing labs.” With that level of transparency, you can build realistic schedules, align DFARS compliant maraging steel deliveries with machining windows, and avoid last-minute fire drills.
How certification and testing reduce your material risk
Specifying DFARS compliant maraging steel is only the first step. You also need confidence that every heat lot meets the right specs. Bob describes how that works: “We ensure that our steel meets AMS 6520 or 6521 for maraging C250 and C300 respectively, or the MIL-S-46850, latest revision. By sending samples to independent labs for every single heat lot that we process, we do not sell or do any further processing until we get test approval from an independent lab.”
Independent labs, AMS 6520, AMS 6521, and MIL-S-46850 compliance all add layers of assurance for your quality team. Instead of spending time chasing nonconforming material, you can focus on your own manufacturing and testing, knowing your DFARS compliant maraging steel already passed its first round of scrutiny.
Choosing your DFARS compliant maraging steel partner
When you look for a DFARS compliant maraging steel partner, you want more than a catalog. You want a team that understands your constraints as an engineer or buyer. Bob’s message is simple: “If you’re a buyer or engineer looking for maraging steel—especially in sheet or plate—Niagara Specialty Metals is worth a look. You don’t have to buy large quantities, we can produce custom sizes, and we’re easy to work with. Chances are, we can get you exactly what you need.”
With domestic melt, DFARS compliance, independent lab testing, and clear lead times, DFARS compliant maraging steel becomes one less variable in your complex program. You get the strength, reliability, and documentation your customers demand and the flexibility you need to keep every build on track.
Looking to learn more about Niagara Specialty Metal's maraging steel? Check out some of our related blogs here:
Inside the Maraging Steel Supply Chain Process: How Smart Planning Cuts Lead Time from 10 Weeks to 1
Precision Matters: Certified Maraging Steel for Aerospace and Defense
Maraging Steel C250 and C300: How to Choose the Right Grade for Your Application
For more information, check out our other blogs.
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