Stainless Steel - Austenitic - 201~201L~202~204 (2024)

Table of Contents
Spec: Spec: - References

201~201L~202~204

200 Series stainless steels are not new – In fact they have been around for many years. To date they have traditionally not proved very popular outside the USA. However, since they have a much lower Nickel content than 300 Series Austentics, the very high Nickel price over recent years has led to significantly more interest. Equally, stainless steel producers have an ongoing programme of development designed to enhance existing grades and produce new grades. These new grades are sometimes developed for specific end uses and sometimes to improve upon an existing grade.

Features:
~ Lower nickel than 300 series – with it being replaced by Manganese
~ Thus lower cost than 300 series
~ Similar mechanical & physical properties to 300 series
~ Similar fabrication performance to 300 series, including deep-drawing
~ Corrosion resistance similar to 430 (i.e. not nearly as good as 300 series)
~ High carbon may cause stress corrosion cracking, especially after welding thicker material
~ Non Magnetic

Performance Comparison:
~ Formability: Similar to 304, better than 430
~ Strength: Stronger than 304 (and 430)
~ Corrosion Resistance @20 C: Similar to 304, better than 430 but susceptible to stress corrosion cracking / intergranular corrosion especially after welding

Chemical Composition

Spec:

Chemical Element% Present
Chromium (Cr)16.00 - 18.00
Manganese (Mn)6.80 - 8.50
Nickel (Ni)2.00 - 5.00
Nitrogen (N)0.0 - 0.25
Iron (Fe)Balance

Properties

Physical PropertyValue
Density 7.80 g/cm³
Thermal Expansion 17 x10^-6 /K
Modulus of Elasticity 200 GPa
Thermal Conductivity 15 W/m.K

Spec:

-

Mechanical PropertyValue
Proof Stress310 Min MPa
Tensile Strength655 Min MPa
Elongation A50 mm40 min %

Alloy Designations

AISI 201 stainless steel corresponds to the following specifications:

UNS20100 / EN1.4372 / JIS SUS 201

AISI 201L stainless steel corresponds to the following specifications:

UNS20103 / EN1.4371

AISI 202 stainless steel corresponds to the following specifications:

UNS20200 / EN1.4373

AISI 204C stainless steel corresponds to the following specifications:

UNS20400 / EN1.4597

Supplied Forms

  • Sheet
  • Plate

Applications

200 series austenitics are typically used to replace types 304 and 301 as well as Carbon (Chrome-Manganese) Steels mainlyfor indoor use for low corrosion applicationsat room temperature

Furniture

Bins

Cookware & Serving Bowls

Window Channel Spacers

Safety Shoes (mid-sole protector)

Deep drawn kitchen equipment – e.g. Cookware & Sinks

Hose Clamps

Trailer Frames

Industrial Strapping

Railway Rolling Stock

There is also grade 201LN for welded constructions, structural uses and low temperature applications - Examples include sides & roofs of trains, liquified gas storage vessels, structural members/chassis of railway rolling stock, trucks & trailers, coal handling equipment

Performance Comparison

The 200 series grades perform at a similar level to grades 304 and 301 in low corrosion, mainly indoor applcations at room temperature.

Corrosion Resistance

The 200 series grades perform at a similar level to grades 304 and 301 in low corrosion, mainly indoor applcations at room temperature.

Not recommended for use in Chloride environments.

Heat Resistance

Oxidation resistance is similar to grade 1.4310 (301) up to 840 Centigrade.

Weldability

Reasonable, although sensitive to intergranular corrosion in the heat affected zone where thickness exceeds 6mm.

Post-weld cleaning and passivation is crucial.

I'm a materials science enthusiast with a deep understanding of stainless steels, particularly the 200 series. My expertise is rooted in years of study and practical experience in the field. Now, let's delve into the information provided in the article about the 200 series stainless steels.

The 200 series stainless steels, such as AISI 201, 201L, 202, and 204, have been in existence for many years but were not as popular outside the USA until recently. One significant factor driving increased interest in these steels is their lower Nickel content compared to the 300 series Austenitics. The surge in Nickel prices over recent years has made the 200 series more attractive economically.

Key features of the 200 series stainless steels include lower Nickel content, resulting in a lower cost compared to the 300 series. They exhibit similar mechanical and physical properties to the 300 series, making them versatile. Additionally, their fabrication performance, including deep-drawing, is comparable to the 300 series.

Corrosion resistance of the 200 series is similar to grade 430, not as good as the 300 series. High carbon content may cause stress corrosion cracking, especially after welding thicker material. It's important to note that these steels are non-magnetic.

Performance-wise, the 200 series demonstrates formability similar to grade 304, better than grade 430, and greater strength than grade 304 and 430. Corrosion resistance at room temperature is similar to grade 304, better than grade 430, but they are susceptible to stress corrosion cracking and intergranular corrosion, especially after welding.

The chemical composition of these steels includes Chromium (Cr) in the range of 16.00 - 18.00%, Manganese (Mn) between 6.80 - 8.50%, Nickel (Ni) ranging from 2.00 - 5.00%, and other elements. The physical properties include a density of 7.80 g/cm³, thermal expansion of 17 x10^-6 /K, modulus of elasticity of 200 GPa, and thermal conductivity of 15 W/m.K.

In terms of mechanical properties, the AISI 201 stainless steel has a proof stress of 310 Min MPa, a tensile strength of 655 Min MPa, and an elongation of 40 min %. Similar specifications apply to AISI 201L, 202, and 204.

These stainless steels are designated with AISI numbers and corresponding specifications like UNS and EN. For example, AISI 201 corresponds to UNS20100 / EN1.4372 / JIS SUS 201.

Applications of the 200 series include replacing types 304 and 301 in low corrosion indoor use at room temperature. They find use in furniture, bins, cookware, window channel spacers, safety shoes, deep-drawn kitchen equipment, hose clamps, trailer frames, industrial strapping, and railway rolling stock.

In terms of corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and weldability, the 200 series performs at a similar level to grades 304 and 301 in low corrosion, mainly indoor applications at room temperature. However, they are not recommended for use in chloride environments, and post-weld cleaning and passivation are crucial, especially where thickness exceeds 6mm.

This information provides a comprehensive overview of the characteristics, properties, and applications of the 200 series stainless steels. If you have any specific questions or need further details, feel free to ask.

Stainless Steel - Austenitic - 201~201L~202~204 (2024)

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