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Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
Originator-Key-Asymmetric:
 MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen
 TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB
MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 Lbc1RTQYLr0aiqdlsL0yYF3a7zAZB1gOmHSqv3VrHgn+UwrsXDHz/tgI2m4roNH9
 2BXP0568Ds14BkAZpxqC/g==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0000755003-05-000036.txt : 20050427
<SEC-HEADER>0000755003-05-000036.hdr.sgml : 20050427
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20050427142156
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0000755003-05-000036
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20050419
FILED AS OF DATE:		20050427
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20050427

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			MATERIAL SCIENCES CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000755003
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	COATING, ENGRAVING & ALLIED SERVICES [3470]
		IRS NUMBER:				952673173
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			0228

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2300 E PRATT BLVD
		CITY:			ELK GROVE VILLAGE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60007
		BUSINESS PHONE:		8474398270

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			Garvin Martin Joseph
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001325105

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	001-08803
		FILM NUMBER:		05775869

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		847-718-8144

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		23W231 KIMBERWICK LANE
		CITY:			NAPERVILLE
		STATE:			IL
		ZIP:			60540
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>doc.xml
<DESCRIPTION>PRIMARY DOCUMENT
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2005-04-19</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>1</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000755003</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>MATERIAL SCIENCES CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>MSC</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001325105</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>Garvin Martin Joseph</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>23W231 KIMBERWICK LN.</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>NAPERVILLE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>IL</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>60540</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>1</isOther>
            <officerTitle></officerTitle>
            <otherText>Corporate Controller</otherText>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>MARTIN JOSEPH GARVIN</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2005-04-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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