201 stainless steel

201 stainless steel is a 200 series austenitic stainless steel that replaces nickel with elements such as manganese and nitrogen. It is part of the chromium-manganese-nickel-nitrogen alloy system. It is an economical alternative to traditional 304 stainless steel. Its corrosion resistance is slightly weaker than 304, but it is still widely used in dry environments or for decorative purposes. Wanzhi Steel is a professional manufacturer of 201 stainless steel and other stainless steel series. We have 201 stainless steel plates/strips/coils in stock and accept customized sizes. Feel free to contact us for more details.

201 stainless steel Specification

Item	201 stainless steel
Length	1-12m or as your requirements
Width	24-2000mm
Thickness	0.1-3mm or as per your requirements
Surface Finishes	BA/2B/NO.1/NO.3/NO.4/8K/HL/2D/1D
Technique	Cold Rolled
Shape	Steel Coil/Strip/Pipie/Flat Steel Plate (Supports corrugation, perforation, slitting, welding)
MOQ	5 Tons
Payment Method	TT 30% prepaid
Delivery time	15-22 days after receiving the deposit

201 Stainless Steel Production Video

Surface Finish

• BA: can clearly reflect the image of the object, with strong decorative effect.
• 2B: has a certain gloss but is not dazzling and is visually softer.
• NO.1: presents a relatively rough texture with an obvious rolling texture.
• NO.3: uniform matte effect, which can partially cover up the minor flaws on the surface.
• NO.4: the surface roughness is finer than NO.3, with uniform matte and smooth feel.
• 8K: mirror polishing, which can clearly and realistically reflect the surrounding environment.
• HL (Hair Line): the surface has a hair-like texture, with consistent direction and long and thin lines.
• 2D: similar to 2B, it is also a matte surface, but with lower gloss and softer.
• 1D: the surface is relatively rough, with obvious oxide skin, dark color, generally black or gray.

Physical properties and mechanical properties

Physical properties	Value
Density	7.93 g/cm³
Melting point	1400 – 1450°C
Yield strength	275 – 450 MPa
Tensile strength	520 – 750 MPa
Elongation at Break	40 – 60%
Appearance	Due to the high manganese content, the surface color is darker than 304 stainless steel (difficult to distinguish with the naked eye)
Thermal expansion coefficient (@ 20-100°C/68-212°F)	16.6 µm/m°C (Metric), 9.22 µin/in°F (Imperial)

Features

1). Low nickel and high manganese: 201 stainless steel is a low nickel, high manganese austenitic stainless steel, and its grade is usually 1Cr17Mn6Ni5N (Cr stands for chromium, Mn stands for manganese, Ni stands for nickel, and N stands for nitrogen). This chemical composition makes 201 stainless steel a substitute for stainless steel alloys with higher nickel content in some aspects.

2). Good plasticity and toughness: As a type of austenitic stainless steel, 201 stainless steel has good plasticity and toughness, as well as excellent hot and cold processing properties.

3). Acid and alkali resistance: It has a certain corrosion resistance. However, due to the low nickel and chromium content, its corrosion resistance is still a certain distance compared with high-end SS steel materials such as 304.

4). High strength: The tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation are relatively high, and it can withstand large external forces without being easily deformed or broken.

5). Work hardening: It will harden during processing, which sometimes limits further forming, but it has advantages in some applications that require high strength and hardness.

6). Thermal stability and cold stability: It can maintain good performance in various environments, including high and low temperature environments.

Popular colors

Application

Kitchenware: Stainless steel sinks made of 201 stainless steel can withstand the wear and tear of daily dishwashing and have a certain degree of rust resistance.

Architectural decoration: Decorative panels made of 201 stainless steel can be embossed or engraved to create unique patterns for interior walls.

Automotive parts: Some non-critical exterior parts. For example, the interior door handles of some economy cars are made of 201 stainless steel.

Application examples are listed:

What is its Production process?

1. Raw material preparation

Prepare high-quality raw materials with precise element ratios and conduct strict inspections.

2. Melting and refining

The raw materials are melted in a furnace at about 1500~1550°C and stirred to ensure that the elements are evenly mixed.

3. Casting

The molten steel is poured into precisely designed molds to form the required shape and size. 201-grade SS can be formed using all common forming methods and pressures similar to 300-series SS steel.

4. Heat treatment

Including welding, hot working, 201 grade stainless steel is hot worked at 1149-1232°C (2100-2250°F).

5. Annealing

Usually, annealing at 1010-1093°C (1850-2000°F) to achieve the required surface finish and mechanical properties. Then carry out different surface treatments as needed.

Which is better, 304 or 201 stainless steel?

• Corrosion resistance: 304 stainless steel has superior corrosion resistance due to its higher nickel and chromium content.
• Cost: 201 stainless steel is generally cheaper than 304 stainless steel due to its lower nickel content.
• Hardness and brittleness: 201 stainless steel is harder and more brittle than 304 stainless steel due to its higher carbon content.

In summary, 201 stainless steel has good corrosion resistance in low-corrosion environments, and 304 stainless steel or other higher grades of stainless steel are more suitable in high-corrosion environments or applications that require high corrosion resistance.

Quality Testing

Including hardness testing, corrosion resistance testing, and metallographic structure inspection to ensure compliance with standards.

201 stainless steel manufacturer -Wanzhi Steel