Austenitic · UNS S20100
201 Stainless Steel
201 is a manganese-substituted austenitic stainless — it replaces part of the nickel in 304 with manganese and nitrogen to hold the austenitic structure. It is not a low-cost replica of 304: it offers useful strength and acceptable corrosion performance indoors, but its lower nickel and chromium reduce pitting resistance and make its ductility and weldability more sensitive to processing.
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Austenitic · UNS S20100 · 7.93 g/cm³
At a glance
201 Stainless — The Short Version
| Alloy family | Austenitic (UNS S20100) |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.93 g/cm³ |
| Standards | ASTM A240 · EN 10088-2 · JIS G4305 |
| Forms supplied | Stainless Steel Coil · Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate · Stainless Steel Tube & Pipe · Stainless Steel Profile |
Chemistry
201 Chemical Composition Limits
Percent by weight. These are the registered limits, not a typical analysis — a heat that sits anywhere inside them is still 201.
| Element | Limit (% wt) | Element | Limit (% wt) |
|---|---|---|---|
| C | 0.15 max | Mn | 5.50 – 7.50 |
| P | 0.060 max | S | 0.030 max |
| Si | 0.75 max | Cr | 16.0 – 18.0 |
| Ni | 3.5 – 5.5 | Mo | — |
| N | 0.25 max |
Composition limits are the ASTM A240 registered ranges, which EN 10088-2 refers back to. Mechanical values are typical for the solution-annealed condition, not acceptance minima — the minima are set by the product standard, and the mill certificate reports the measured values for your heat.
Mechanicals
Typical Mechanical Properties (Solution Annealed)
Room temperature. Use these to compare grades — the acceptance figures for your order come from the product standard and are reported on the mill certificate for the actual heat.
| Condition | Tensile (MPa) | Yield (MPa) | Elongation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed | 655 | 310 | 40 |
Cold-worked tempers are available to order — values are quoted with the offer rather than assumed from this table.
Forms
201 in the Forms We Supply
The same grade behaves differently as coil, plate and tube because the forming route sets the surface and the final mechanical condition. Pick the form first.
201 Stainless Steel Coil
Cold-rolled and hot-rolled coil in 200 / 300 / 400 series.
0.3 – 8.0 mm · 600 – 2,000 mm
201 Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate
Cold-rolled sheet and hot-rolled plate for structural and decorative use.
0.3 – 120 mm · 1,000 – 2,000 mm
201 Stainless Steel Tube & Pipe
Seamless and welded round, square and rectangular tube.
Wall 0.5 – 40 mm · OD 6 – 630 mm
201 Stainless Steel Profile
Angle, channel, I-beam and special sections.
Section 20 – 200 mm · —
Selection
Choose 201 When — and When Not To
Choose 201 when
Dry architectural trim, furniture tube frames, light structural sections and indoor fittings where strength matters more than corrosion resistance and the budget rules out 304. It is the workhorse of the indoor furniture and trim trade.
Think again if
Wet, coastal or chlorinated service, and food contact. Its lower nickel and chromium pit sooner than 304, and it is not a general drop-in for 304 in corrosive or outdoor duty.
Before you ask
201 — Questions Buyers Ask
Is 201 as good as 304?
No. 201 trades nickel for manganese and nitrogen to cut cost, so it is less corrosion-resistant, less ductile and harder to weld cleanly. It is a different grade for different jobs, not a cheaper 304.
Where is 201 the right choice?
Indoor, dry, mildly corrosive applications: furniture, trim, light structures. It wins on cost where corrosion resistance is not the deciding factor.
Is 201 magnetic?
More magnetic than 304, especially after cold work, because the manganese-nitrogen balance leaves the structure less stable.
Does 201 rust?
In outdoor or wet conditions it stains sooner than 304. Keep it indoors and dry, or step up to 304 for anything exposed.
Also compare
Other Stainless Grades
- 304 Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S30400
- 316L Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S31603
- 2205 Stainless SteelDuplex · UNS S32205
- 304L Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S30403
- 316 Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S31600
- 430 Stainless SteelFerritic · UNS S43000
- 321 Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S32100
- 310S Stainless SteelAustenitic · UNS S31008
- All stainless grades →The full stainless grade map
Quote on 201 Stainless Steel
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