Exhibit 23.1
                                                                    ------------

                    CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report included in this Form 11-K, into the Material Sciences Corporation
previously filed S-8 Registration Statement (No. 33-81064) for the Savings and
Investment Plan.

/s/ Arthur Andersen LLP

Chicago, Illinois
May 28, 2002