What is MS SPEC?

MS SPEC (Material Specification) is a technical standard used by Hyundai Motor Group, covering Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis vehicles. It defines the required material properties and performance criteria for automotive parts and materials supplied to the group.
MS stands for Material Standard or Material Specification and is used together with ES (Engineering Standard) as one of the core guidelines for component development.

1. Purpose and Importance of MS SPEC

The primary goal of MS SPEC is to ensure that all materials used in a vehicle maintain consistent quality and remain reliable under real driving conditions.

Key objectives include:

• Stabilizing the durability of interior and exterior materials

• Ensuring performance under extreme temperatures (high heat, cold environments)

• Securing the reliability of advanced components such as EV and autonomous systems

• Complying with global environmental regulations (VOC, REACH, etc.)

• Standardizing quality control across the entire supply chain

Hyundai and Kia have established their own standardized system since the 1990s, enabling global-level OEM quality competitiveness.

2. Structure and Major Testing Categories of MS SPEC

MS SPEC consists of hundreds of specifications depending on the material and component category. Major evaluation items include:

Mechanical Properties

• Tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength (Charpy)

• Hardness testing
  → Ensures durability under collision, deformation, and long-term use

Thermal Properties

• Coefficient of thermal expansion, glass transition temperature (Tg), thermal stability
  → Evaluates deformation or failure in high-temperature areas such as engine rooms or motor zones

Electrical Properties

• Insulation resistance, dielectric strength, surface resistance
  → Essential for PCB, batteries, and electronic components

Optical & Chemical Properties

• Color difference (ΔE), transparency, flame resistance (UL94), chemical resistance
  → Ensures long-term stability and safety for interior materials

Environmental Properties

• UV resistance, VOC emissions, recyclability
  → Increasingly important as eco-friendly vehicles expand

3. How MS SPEC Testing Is Performed

MS SPEC evaluation typically follows these steps:

1. Specification Review – Engineers review component drawings and MS SPEC requirements.

2. Sample Preparation – Suppliers produce samples for testing.

3. Testing – Conducted either in-house or through certified institutions such as KTR or polymer testing labs.

4. Evaluation & Judgment – Designs or materials are modified if results do not meet standards.

5. Certification (Production Approval) – Mass production approval is granted once all standards are cleared.

Due to strict quality requirements, both the testing process and documentation are highly controlled.

4. Why MS SPEC Matters

For suppliers working with Hyundai/Kia, meeting MS SPEC is essentially a requirement for approval.

• Non-compliance can lead to supply suspension or re-audit

• Ensures OEM-level global quality

• Directly impacts vehicle safety and customer satisfaction

• Reduces development time and cost by standardizing quality

As of 2025, MS SPEC continues to evolve for EV components, battery materials, and eco-friendly interior materials (v11.0 and above).

5. Where Can You Access MS SPEC?

MS SPEC is internal technical documentation and is not publicly available online.

You can only access it through:

• Official Hyundai-Kia Supplier Portal

• Certified testing institutions (indirect access)

• Official documents shared during supplier meetings

Unofficial copies found on forums or communities may be outdated, so always refer to official channels.

What Does MS SPEC Mean in the Field?

Anyone working in the automotive industry may encounter MS SPEC when customers request “MS SPEC documentation.”

In simple terms:

It means you must submit a test report proving the product meets Hyundai/Kia’s material standards.

1. Why You Can’t Easily Find MS SPEC Online

Because MS SPEC is proprietary, it is not publicly shared.
Each product category has its own specification number, depending on the material and usage.

For example:

• Plastic interior parts

• Automotive glass

• PCB and FPCB

• Adhesives, tapes, and films

Each requires a different MS specification number.

2. What MS SPEC Actually Requires (Test Report)

In more practical terms:

“Test this product according to our standards
and submit the results in a complete test report.”

Typical required tests include:

• Chemical composition

• Strength and impact resistance

• Thermal resistance (heat/cold)

• Moisture and humidity resistance

• Weathering/UV exposure

• Optical tests (transmittance, reflectance)

• Flame resistance

• Mechanical properties

• Environmental safety (hazardous substances)

Each MS SPEC number clearly defines the required test items.

3. Examples of Real MS SPEC Standards

Below is a clean table you can use directly in WordPress.

4. What It Means for Suppliers

If you’re a distributor

→ Request the MS SPEC test report from the manufacturer.

If you’re a manufacturer

→ Perform the tests yourself (if equipped)
→ or outsource the tests to a certified laboratory.

5. Why So Strict?

Automobiles are directly tied to human safety.
Just as KS certification once symbolized product reliability,
MS SPEC now serves as a trust standard for automotive materials.

Because even small quality failures can lead to severe accidents,
Hyundai/Kia require suppliers to meet their strict internal specifications.

Final Summary

• MS SPEC = Hyundai/Kia’s internal material performance standard

• Used to verify material safety, reliability, and compliance

• Suppliers must submit test reports proving conformity

• Different MS numbers define different testing requirements

• Meeting MS SPEC is essential for approval and mass production