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What is SS 201 Stainless Steel?
Quick answer
- Definition
- SS 201 is a chromium-manganese-nickel austenitic stainless steel, where manganese and nitrogen replace part of the nickel in SS 304.
- Family
- 200-series (Cr-Mn-Ni) stainless steel
- Key strength
- Lower nickel content than SS 304, so a lower and more stable price
- Main forms
- Pipes, Tubes, Plates, Sheets, Coils, Bars
- Typical uses
- Kitchenware, sinks and catering equipment; Decorative and ornamental tube (ASTM A554); Furniture, railings and indoor architecture
Grade 201 was developed as a lower-nickel alternative to SS 301/304. About 5.5–7.5% manganese and up to 0.25% nitrogen keep the structure austenitic with only 3.5–5.5% nickel. The nitrogen also gives it higher strength than SS 304 in the annealed condition.
Its corrosion resistance is below SS 304, particularly against pitting in chloride environments, so it suits indoor and dry service: kitchen equipment, furniture, decorative tube and trim, and appliance parts. In India, many mill-specific low-nickel variants are sold as "201". Always confirm whether ASTM 201 or a mill grade is being quoted.
Key characteristics
- Lower nickel content than SS 304, so a lower and more stable price
- Higher annealed strength and faster work hardening than SS 304
- Good formability for deep drawing with the right tooling
- Lower pitting resistance than SS 304: best for indoor use
What are the specifications and equivalents of SS 201?
| Product form | Specification / designation | Product page |
|---|---|---|
| Pipes | ASTM A554 (ornamental welded) | SS 201 pipes → |
| Tubes | ASTM A554 | SS 201 tubes → |
| Plates | ASTM A240 201 | SS 201 plates → |
| Sheets | ASTM A240 201 | SS 201 sheets → |
| Coils | ASTM A240 201 | SS 201 coils → |
| Bars | ASTM A276 201 | SS 201 bars → |
UNS S20100 · EN 1.4372 (cross-reference; limits are similar but not identical)
What is the chemical composition of SS 201?
| Element | Limit (%) |
|---|---|
| C | 0.15 max |
| Mn | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| P | 0.060 max |
| S | 0.030 max |
| Si | 1.00 max |
| Cr | 16.0 – 18.0 |
| Ni | 3.5 – 5.5 |
| N | 0.25 max |
What are the mechanical properties of SS 201?
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | 515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Yield strength (0.2% offset) | 260 MPa (38 ksi) |
| Elongation | 40% |
| Hardness | 217 HBW |
Physical properties and service temperature
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density (typical) | 7.8 g/cm³ (7800 kg/m³) |
| Magnetism | Non-magnetic when annealed; becomes more magnetic with cold work than SS 304. |
| Heat treatment | Solution annealed; hardened only by cold work. |
| Service temperature | For indoor, decorative and light-duty applications. |
How is SS 201 welded and fabricated?
Weldable, although less tolerant than SS 304 in corrosive service.
Always follow a qualified welding procedure (for example ASME Section IX) and the filler-metal recommendations for SS 201. Verify incoming material by PMI and check the mill test certificate against the specification.
Which SS 201 products do we supply?
SS 201 Stainless Steel is available in 6 product forms, from ready stock or mill-sourced to your specification, with EN 10204 3.1 mill test certificates (3.2 with third-party inspection on request).
SS 201 PipesASTM A554Specification & sizes
How it's madeSeamless pipe is pierced from a solid billet and hot-finished or cold-drawn. Welded pipe is formed from strip or plate and welded longitudinally (ERW/HFW, TIG/plasma, EFW, LSAW) or spirally (SAWH). Stainless and nickel-alloy pipe is then solution annealed and pickled. Carbon and alloy steel pipe is supplied as-rolled, normalised, or normalised and tempered according to the specification.
- Specification
- ASTM A554 (ornamental welded)
- Size range
- NPS ⅛" to 48" and larger (DN 6 – DN 1200+), schedules 5S to XXS, single random, double random and cut lengths
- Finish
- Annealed & pickled, bright annealed, mill finish, black, varnished, galvanised or 3LPE / FBE coated (by material)
- Ends
- Plain end (PE), bevelled end (BE, ASME B16.25), threaded (NPT / BSP), grooved
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical (tension, flattening, flare/bend) tests
- Hydrostatic test or non-destructive electric test (UT/ET) on each length
- Dimensional and visual inspection
- Intergranular corrosion (stainless), impact (low-temperature), hardness (sour service) when specified
- PMI and third-party inspection on request
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
SS 201 TubesASTM A554Specification & sizes
How it's madeSeamless tubes are hot-extruded or pierced and then cold-drawn or pilgered to size. Welded tubes are formed from strip, welded (TIG/laser/HF), bead-worked and drawn or sized. Heat-exchanger and boiler tubes are annealed after final forming, and U-tubes are bent and stress-relieved as required.
- Specification
- ASTM A554
- Size range
- OD 3 mm to about 127 mm (¼" to 5") typical, wall 0.5 mm to 12 mm; BWG or mm; straight lengths up to about 30 m, U-bent to drawing
- Finish
- Annealed & pickled, bright annealed (BA), polished (sanitary), cold-drawn
- Ends
- Plain square-cut, deburred; U-bends with stress-relieved bends on request
Testing & documents
- Eddy-current and/or ultrasonic testing on each tube
- Hydrostatic or pneumatic test
- Flattening, flaring and flange tests
- Grain size (H grades), IGC and hardness when specified
- Surface roughness (Ra) for sanitary and instrumentation tube
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
SS 201 PlatesASTM A240 201Specification & sizes
How it's madeSlabs are hot-rolled on a reversing plate mill (or a Steckel/hot-strip mill for thinner plate), then heat treated (annealed, normalised, or quenched and tempered, depending on material), descaled and pickled or shot-blasted. Plates are cut to size by plasma, oxy-fuel, waterjet or shearing.
- Specification
- ASTM A240 201
- Size range
- Thickness about 3 – 150 mm (and heavier on request), widths 1,000 – 3,000 mm, lengths 2,000 – 12,000 mm; cut-to-size and profile-cut parts
- Finish
- No.1 (hot-rolled, annealed and pickled) for stainless; shot-blasted, mill scale or primed for carbon steel
- Ends
- Mill edge, sheared, plasma or waterjet cut, profile cut to drawing
Testing & documents
- Chemical analysis and tensile tests (per plate or heat)
- Impact tests for low-temperature and pressure-vessel plates
- Ultrasonic testing (e.g. ASTM A435 / A578) when specified
- IGC, HIC and simulated PWHT tests as required
- Flatness and dimensional inspection
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
SS 201 SheetsASTM A240 201Specification & sizes
How it's madeHot-rolled coil is cold-rolled to final thickness, then annealed and pickled (2B/2D) or bright annealed (BA), temper-passed, and polished or textured as needed. Coils are then levelled and cut into sheets.
- Specification
- ASTM A240 201
- Size range
- Thickness about 0.3 – 6 mm, standard sizes 1,000 × 2,000, 1,219 × 2,438 (4 × 8 ft), 1,250 × 2,500 and 1,500 × 3,000 mm; custom cut lengths
- Finish
- 2B, 2D, BA, No.4 (brushed), HL (hairline), No.8 (mirror), embossed, PVC or laser-film protected
- Ends
- Sheared or slit edges; laser-cut blanks on request
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical tests
- Surface and finish inspection
- Thickness and flatness checks
- Hardness and bend tests as specified
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
SS 201 CoilsASTM A240 201Specification & sizes
How it's madeHot-rolled coil (HRC) comes from the hot-strip mill. Cold-rolled coil (CRC) is further reduced on a cold mill, then annealed and pickled or bright annealed, and skin-passed. Slitting lines cut master coils into narrow strips to the width you order.
- Specification
- ASTM A240 201
- Size range
- Thickness about 0.3 – 12 mm; widths from narrow slit strip (about 10 mm) to 1,250 / 1,500 / 2,000 mm; coil ID 508 / 610 mm; coil weights to order
- Finish
- No.1 (hot-rolled, annealed, pickled), 2B, 2D, BA, No.4 for stainless; HR black, pickled & oiled, CR for carbon steel
- Ends
- Mill edge or slit edge
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical tests
- Thickness profile and surface inspection
- Hardness and bend tests
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
SS 201 BarsASTM A276 201Specification & sizes
How it's madeBillets are hot-rolled or forged to size, then heat treated (annealed, solution treated, or quenched and tempered) and finished by descaling, peeling, turning, cold-drawing or centreless grinding for bright bar with tight tolerance.
- Specification
- ASTM A276 201
- Size range
- Round bars about 3 – 500 mm diameter; hex 6 – 100 mm A/F; square and flat sections to order; lengths 3 – 6 m random or cut to size
- Finish
- Black (hot-rolled), peeled, bright drawn, centreless ground and polished (h9 / h11 tolerance)
- Ends
- Saw-cut, chamfered on request
Testing & documents
- Chemical and mechanical tests
- Ultrasonic testing for internal soundness
- Hardness, IGC and impact tests as specified
- Straightness and tolerance checks
- EN 10204 3.1 certificate; 3.2 with third-party inspection
Where is SS 201 used?
Typical applications
- Kitchenware, sinks and catering equipment
- Decorative and ornamental tube (ASTM A554)
- Furniture, railings and indoor architecture
- Appliance panels and trim
- Automotive trim and light-duty brackets
What should you specify when buying SS 201?
- Grade and specification, e.g. ASTM A554
- Product form, size and tolerance
- Heat treatment / condition and surface finish
- Quantity, delivery location and required date
- Tests: PMI, hydro/NDT, IGC, impact or hardness as required
- Certificate type (EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2) and third-party inspection
See our RFQ checklist guide and what drives metal prices.
Explore more on SS 201
Guides
Comparisons & articles
Related grades
Frequently asked questions
Is SS 201 stainless steel as good as SS 304?
SS 201 has lower corrosion resistance than SS 304, especially against chlorides and pitting. It's cost-effective for indoor and dry applications, but SS 304 is preferred outdoors, in food processing and in wet environments.
Why is SS 201 cheaper than SS 304?
It replaces much of the costly nickel with manganese and nitrogen. Nickel is the main driver of austenitic stainless steel prices.
What is SS 201 used for?
Kitchenware, sinks and catering equipment, Decorative and ornamental tube (ASTM A554), Furniture, railings and indoor architecture, Appliance panels and trim. It's used across Construction & Architecture, Food & Beverage Processing, Automotive & Transport.
What is the UNS number of SS 201?
SS 201 is designated UNS S20100; the closest EN cross-reference is 1.4372.
Which product forms is SS 201 available in?
Pipes, Tubes, Plates, Sheets, Coils, Bars, to ASTM A554, ASTM A554, ASTM A240 201 and related specifications.
What is the density of SS 201?
About 7.8 g/cm³ (7800 kg/m³), used for weight calculations.
Is SS 201 magnetic?
Non-magnetic when annealed; becomes more magnetic with cold work than SS 304.
What temperature can SS 201 withstand?
For indoor, decorative and light-duty applications.