201 Stainless Steel Sheet is an austenitic chromium-nickel-manganese stainless steel originally developed to conserve nickel. It has properties similar to Type 301 stainless steel and is suitable for most applications.
The alloy is non-magnetic in the annealed condition, but exhibits magnetic properties when cold worked. The rate of work-hardening is similar to Type 301, but Type 201 has a slightly higher yield strength when cold-worked, while the ductility remains unchanged.
Toughness at low temperatures is excellent. Typical uses include appliances, restaurant equipment, cooking utensils, sinks, automotive trim, architectural applications such as windows and doors, railway cars, trailers, and hose clamps..
Properties of 201 Stainless Steel
| Grade | SS201/1Cr17Mn6Ni5N |
| Chemical Composition(%) | Carbon (C): 0.15 max. Manganese (Mn): 5.50 – 7.50 Phosphorus (P): 0.060 max. Sulfur (S): 0.030 max. Silicon (Si): 1.00 max. Chromium (Cr): 16.0 – 18.00 Nickel (Ni): 3.50 – 5.50 Nitrogen (N): 0.25 max. Iron (Fe): Balance |
| Mechanical Properties | ksi. (MPa): 110 (758) 0.2% YS, ksi. (MPa): 52 (360) Elongation, % in 2″ (50.8 mm): 55 Rockwell Hardness (B): 87 |
| Physical Properties | Density, lbs./in.3 (g/cm3): 0.283 (7.81) Electrical Resistivity, µΩ•in. (µΩ•cm): 27.0 (68.5) Modulus of Elasticity, ksi. (MPa): 28.6 x103(197 x 103) Magnetic Permeability,(H/m at 200 Oersteds): Annealed 1.02 Melting Range, °F (°C): 2550 – 2650 (1399 – 1454) |
Characteristics of 201 Stainless Steel
- Corrosion Resistance
Type 201 should perform adequately as a replacement for Type 301, in most mild environments. The scaling resistance of Type 201 is less than that of Type 301. Type 201 resists destructive scaling up to about 1500 °F (816 °C), about 50 °F (28 °C) less than Type 301.
- Formability
Type 201 can be fabricated by bench forming, roll forming and brake bending in much the same manner as Type 301. However, because of its higher strength, it may exhibit greater springback.
This material can be drawn similarly to Type 301 in most drawing operations if more power is used and the hold-down pressure is increased.
- Weldability
The austenitic class of stainless steels is generally considered to be weldable by the common fusion and resistance techniques. Special consideration is required to avoid weld “hot cracking” by assuring formation of ferrite in the weld deposit.
As with other chrome-nickel austenitic stainless steel grades, where carbon is not restricted to 0.03% or below, the weld heat affected zone may be sensitized and subject to intergranular corrosion in some environments.
This particular alloy is generally considered to have poorer weldability to the most common alloy of this stainless class, Type 304L. When a weld filler is needed, AWS E/ER 308 is most often specified. Type 201 is well known in reference literature and more information can be obtained in this way.
- Heat Treatment
Type 201 steel is not hardenable by heat treatment. Annealing: Anneal at 1850 – 1950 °F (1010 – 1066 °C), followed by water quenching or rapid air cooling.
The annealing temperature should be kept as low as possible, consistent with the desired properties, because type 201 tends to scale more than Type 301.