Stainless Steel, Austenitic
201-201L-202-204 Stainless Steel Sheet & Plate
The 200 series of low nickel austenitic stainless steels.
Traditionally only popular in the United States, the 200 series of stainless steels are becoming more popular worldwide due to the significantly lower nickel content than the 300 series. As the price of nickel has risen, this has driven more interest in the 200 series as a viable and cost-effective alternative.
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel that offers a cost-effective alternative to 300 series stainless steel. By using higher manganese and lower nickel, it maintains good corrosion resistance, formability, and strength while reducing material costs.
With this increased interest, producers of stainless steels have been refining the 200 series with enhanced grades and new grades. Although typically to fulfil a specific requirement for a particular application, these new grades are often simply improvements to existing grades.
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Related Specifications
AISI 201 stainless steel corresponds to the following specifications:
- UNS20100/EN1.4372/SUS 201/STS 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/SUS 202/STS 202
AISI 204C stainless steel corresponds to the following specifications:
- UNS20400/EN1.4597
Properties
Chemical Composition
| Chemical Element | % Present |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.00 - 18.00 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 6.80 - 8.50 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 2.00 - 5.00 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.00 - 0.25 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
Mechanical Properties
| Mechanical Property | Value |
| Proof Stress | 310 Min MPa |
| Tensile Strength | 655 Min MPa |
| Elongation A50 mm | 40 min % |
General Physical Properties
| Physical Property | Value |
| Density | 7.80 g/cm³ |
| Thermal Expansion | 17 x 10-6/K |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 200 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 15 W/m.K |
Applications of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel with good corrosion resistance, excellent formability, and moderate strength. Its lower nickel content and cost-effectiveness make it suitable for a wide range of applications, particularly where moderate corrosion resistance is acceptable.
1. Kitchenware and Appliances
Sinks, cookware, and utensils
Refrigerators, ovens, and other household appliances
Dish racks, trays, and food storage containers
2. Architectural and Decorative Applications
Interior and exterior panels
Handrails, elevator panels, and decorative trims
Ceiling panels and furniture components
3. Automotive Industry
Decorative trim and interior panels
Non-structural components where moderate corrosion resistance is sufficient
4. Industrial and Equipment Applications
Sheet metal parts for machinery and equipment
Light-duty fasteners, brackets, and structural components
Protective covers and housings for non-corrosive environments
5. Construction and Infrastructure
Decorative railings and cladding
Indoor fixtures and fittings exposed to mild corrosive conditions
Summary
200 series stainless steel is widely used in applications requiring good formability, moderate corrosion resistance, and cost efficiency. It is particularly popular in kitchenware, household appliances, architectural components, and decorative applications, where it serves as a more economical alternative to 300 series stainless steel.
Characteristics of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel that contains higher manganese and lower nickel compared to 300 series. It offers good corrosion resistance, excellent formability, and moderate strength, making it a cost-effective alternative to 304 stainless steel in many applications.
1. Chemical and Mechanical Features
High manganese content replaces some of the nickel, reducing cost
Carbon content is generally higher than 304, giving moderate strength
Good toughness and ductility, suitable for cold working
2. Corrosion Resistance
Resistant to atmospheric corrosion, mild chemicals, and water
Slightly lower corrosion resistance compared to 300 series, especially in chloride environments
Suitable for indoor and mildly corrosive outdoor conditions
3. Formability and Fabrication
Excellent cold-forming characteristics: bending, drawing, and deep-drawing
Can be rolled into sheets, strips, and coils
Easily welded using standard methods, though some grades may require post-weld annealing
4. Mechanical Properties
Moderate strength in the annealed condition
Can achieve higher strength through cold working due to work-hardening
Retains good toughness at low temperatures
5. Heat Resistance
Performs adequately at moderate temperatures
Not suitable for high-temperature or prolonged heat exposure applications
6. Cost Advantage
Reduced nickel content lowers material cost while maintaining acceptable corrosion resistance and mechanical properties
Popular in kitchenware, appliances, and architectural applications where cost is a key factor
Summary
200 series stainless steel offers good corrosion resistance, excellent formability, moderate strength, and cost efficiency. It is widely used in appliances, kitchenware, automotive trim, and indoor architectural applications, serving as a more economical alternative to 300 series stainless steel.
Characteristics
Fabrication
Fabrication of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel known for its excellent formability, moderate strength, and cost-effectiveness. Its fabrication characteristics make it suitable for cold forming, welding, and machining in a wide range of applications.
1. Cold Working
Excellent ductility and formability allow deep drawing, bending, rolling, and stamping.
Can be formed into complex shapes such as sheets, strips, coils, and decorative panels.
Work hardens faster than 300 series stainless steel, so intermediate annealing may be required for extensive forming.
2. Hot Working
Can be hot worked at temperatures between 1200–900°C (2190–1650°F).
Proper temperature control is needed to prevent grain growth or reduced toughness.
Suitable for forging, extrusion, and hot rolling operations.
3. Welding
Can be welded using conventional methods: TIG, MIG, SMAW, and resistance welding.
Low carbon content or stabilized variants reduce risk of sensitization and intergranular corrosion.
Post-weld annealing or passivation may be performed to restore corrosion resistance in welded areas.
4. Machining
Moderate machinability; higher manganese content may make cutting slightly more challenging than 300 series.
Use sharp tools, proper lubrication, and controlled feed rates to avoid work hardening and tool wear.
5. Surface Treatment
Can be polished, brushed, or patterned for architectural and decorative applications.
Pickling and passivation may enhance corrosion resistance after fabrication.
Summary
200 series stainless steel offers excellent fabrication capabilities, including cold forming, hot working, welding, and machining. Its combination of formability, moderate strength, and corrosion resistance makes it ideal for kitchenware, household appliances, automotive trim, and architectural components.
Weldability
Weldability of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel with excellent weldability, though its higher manganese and lower nickel content require some considerations compared to 300 series stainless steel. Proper welding techniques ensure strong, corrosion-resistant joints.
1. Suitable Welding Methods
TIG (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding, GTAW) – preferred for precision welding and thin sections
MIG (Gas Metal Arc Welding, GMAW) – suitable for thicker sections and faster welding
SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding) – effective for structural components
Resistance welding (spot or seam) – used for sheet metal fabrication
2. Welding Considerations
High work-hardening rate may cause slight cracking in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) if not controlled.
Preheating is generally not required for most applications.
Use compatible filler metals to maintain corrosion resistance and mechanical strength.
3. Filler Metals
Recommended filler metals: matching 200 series or 300 series stainless steels
Low-carbon or stabilized grades help reduce risk of intergranular corrosion after welding
4. Post-Weld Treatments
Stress relieving may be applied for heavily welded components to reduce internal stresses
Pickling and passivation improve corrosion resistance of welded areas
For applications requiring higher corrosion resistance, consider post-weld solution annealing
5. Limitations
Slightly lower corrosion resistance compared to 300 series in chloride environments
High manganese content can slightly reduce weld pool fluidity, requiring careful heat input control
Cold-working before welding may increase hardness in the HAZ
Machinability
Machinability of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel with moderate machinability. Its higher manganese and lower nickel content compared to 300 series stainless steel affect its cutting characteristics. Proper machining techniques are required to achieve optimal results.
1. General Machinability
Machinability is moderate, generally slightly lower than 304 stainless steel.
Tends to work harden rapidly during cutting, which can lead to tool wear and surface finish issues if not controlled.
Suitable for turning, milling, drilling, and tapping with appropriate tooling.
2. Tooling Recommendations
Use sharp, high-quality cutting tools (carbide or high-speed steel).
Maintain rigid setup to minimize vibration.
Apply adequate cutting speed, feed, and depth of cut to prevent work hardening.
3. Cooling and Lubrication
Use cutting fluid or coolant to reduce heat buildup and extend tool life.
Proper lubrication improves surface finish and prevents galling.
4. Work-Hardening Considerations
Cold working or previous forming increases hardness in the material.
Avoid repeated cuts in the same area to prevent rapid tool wear.
Light finishing passes are recommended to achieve smooth surfaces.
5. Applications Related to Machining
Components requiring precision machining, such as fasteners, brackets, and appliance parts
Sheet metal forming followed by light machining for finishing
Industrial and decorative parts where moderate machinability is acceptable
Summary
200 series stainless steel has moderate machinability, influenced by its high work-hardening rate and manganese content. Using sharp tools, proper speeds, feeds, and cooling, it can be efficiently machined for appliances, architectural, automotive, and light industrial applications.
Corrosion Resistance
Corrosion Resistance of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel with good corrosion resistance in many environments. While slightly lower than 300 series due to its reduced nickel content, it still performs well in indoor, mild outdoor, and non-aggressive chemical environments.
1. General Corrosion Resistance
Resists atmospheric corrosion in indoor and mild outdoor conditions.
Suitable for household appliances, kitchenware, and decorative applications.
Forms a protective chromium oxide layer that prevents surface oxidation.
2. Resistance to Chlorides
Moderate resistance to pitting and crevice corrosion in chloride-containing environments.
Not recommended for marine or highly saline environments.
3. Intergranular Corrosion
May be susceptible to intergranular corrosion if welded without low-carbon or stabilized grades.
Using 200 series low-carbon or stabilized variants reduces this risk.
4. Chemical Resistance
Resistant to mild acids and alkalis, such as those found in household and light industrial environments.
Suitable for food contact equipment where aggressive chemicals are not present.
5. Applications Related to Corrosion Resistance
Kitchen sinks, cookware, and appliances
Interior architectural panels and decorative components
Light-duty industrial equipment in non-aggressive environments
Summary
200 series stainless steel provides good corrosion resistance in indoor, mild outdoor, and non-aggressive chemical environments. While slightly less resistant than 300 series, it is suitable for appliances, kitchenware, architectural, and light industrial applications, offering a cost-effective balance between corrosion resistance and performance.
Cold Working
Cold Working of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel with excellent ductility and formability, making it highly suitable for cold working processes. Cold working improves mechanical strength through work hardening while retaining good corrosion resistance.
1. Common Cold Working Processes
Rolling: Sheets, strips, and coils can be cold-rolled to precise thicknesses.
Bending and Forming: Ideal for panels, trims, brackets, and complex shapes.
Deep Drawing: Suitable for sinks, kitchenware, and appliance components.
Stamping and Punching: Works well for industrial and decorative parts.
2. Work Hardening
Cold working increases yield strength and tensile strength significantly.
High work-hardening rate allows for strong, durable components without additional alloying.
Overworking may reduce ductility, so intermediate annealing may be required for extensive deformation.
3. Fabrication Considerations
Cold working should be done gradually to prevent cracking.
Sharp tooling and proper lubrication improve surface finish and reduce tool wear.
Cold-worked components may require stress relief or annealing for applications requiring uniform mechanical properties.
4. Applications Related to Cold Working
Kitchenware: sinks, trays, cookware
Appliance components: refrigerator panels, oven trays
Architectural panels, decorative trims, and furniture
Automotive parts: interior panels, trims, and brackets
Summary
200 series stainless steel has excellent cold working characteristics, allowing it to be rolled, bent, formed, and deep-drawn into complex shapes. Cold working enhances strength while maintaining good corrosion resistance, making it ideal for kitchenware, appliances, architectural, and automotive applications.
Heat Treatment
Heat Treatment of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel that is generally non-hardenable by conventional heat treatment. Its mechanical properties are primarily controlled through cold working rather than heat treatment. However, heat treatment processes are sometimes used for stress relief, annealing, or restoring ductility after extensive fabrication.
1. Annealing
Performed to soften the material, relieve internal stresses, and restore ductility.
Typical annealing temperature: 1010–1120°C (1850–2050°F) for austenitizing.
Rapid cooling (water quenching or air cooling) is used to preserve the austenitic structure.
2. Stress Relief
Applied after cold working or welding to reduce residual stresses.
Temperatures are typically in the range of 450–650°C (840–1200°F).
Helps prevent distortion and improves dimensional stability in fabricated components.
3. Stabilization
Unlike 321 or 347 stainless steel, 200 series does not require niobium or titanium stabilization.
Low-carbon variants reduce the risk of sensitization during welding.
4. Effects of Heat Treatment
Restores ductility after extensive cold working.
Reduces hardness induced by work hardening.
Does not significantly increase strength through conventional quenching or tempering.
5. Applications Related to Heat Treatment
Cold-worked kitchenware, appliances, and decorative panels needing stress relief
Welded components requiring dimensional stability
Formed industrial parts where residual stress removal is needed
Summary
200 series stainless steel is primarily strengthened through cold working. Heat treatment is generally used for annealing and stress relief to restore ductility and reduce residual stresses. It does not respond to conventional hardening, making it ideal for kitchenware, appliances, architectural, and light industrial applications where moderate strength and corrosion resistance are sufficient.
Heat Resistance
Heat Resistance of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel with moderate heat resistance. While it performs well at elevated temperatures, it is not designed for prolonged exposure to very high temperatures or highly oxidizing environments like 300 series or stabilized stainless steels (e.g., 321, 347).
1. Continuous Service Temperature
Suitable for continuous service up to approximately 425°C (800°F).
Prolonged exposure above this temperature may reduce corrosion resistance and mechanical properties.
2. Intermittent Exposure
Can withstand intermittent exposure up to 870°C (1600°F) in oxidizing atmospheres.
Extended exposure may lead to scaling or oxidation on the surface.
3. Oxidation Resistance
Forms a protective chromium oxide layer at elevated temperatures, reducing surface degradation.
Resistance is adequate for indoor and moderate industrial applications.
4. Limitations
Not suitable for high-temperature chemical or marine environments.
Mechanical properties, such as tensile strength and ductility, may degrade under prolonged high heat.
Unlike stabilized grades, it does not resist intergranular attack during high-temperature service.
5. Applications Related to Heat Resistance
Kitchen appliances exposed to heat, such as ovens and stove components
Industrial equipment operating at moderate temperatures
Architectural components and panels in heated environments
Light-duty machinery or equipment requiring heat tolerance but not extreme high-temperature resistance
Summary
200 series stainless steel offers moderate heat resistance, suitable for continuous service up to 425°C (800°F) and intermittent exposure up to 870°C (1600°F). It is ideal for appliances, architectural components, and industrial applications where moderate heat resistance is sufficient but does not require the high-temperature performance of 300 series or stabilized stainless steels.
Hot Working
Hot Working of 200 Series Stainless Steel
200 series stainless steel is an austenitic stainless steel with excellent hot working characteristics. Hot working processes allow shaping and forming of the steel at elevated temperatures while maintaining ductility and minimizing work hardening.
1. Hot Working Temperature
Suitable for hot working between 1200–900°C (2190–1650°F).
Proper temperature control is critical to prevent grain growth or reduced toughness.
2. Hot Working Processes
Hot Rolling: Sheets, plates, and strips can be rolled to desired thickness.
Forging: Suitable for producing structural components and heavy parts.
Extrusion: Can form tubes, rods, and profiles at elevated temperatures.
Hot Pressing and Forming: Allows shaping complex components with reduced risk of cracking.
3. Advantages of Hot Working
Reduces work hardening compared to cold working.
Improves ductility and toughness in the finished component.
Enables the production of large, complex parts that cannot be formed cold.
4. Post-Hot Working Treatments
Annealing may be applied to restore uniform mechanical properties and relieve residual stresses.
Pickling and passivation improve corrosion resistance after hot working.
5. Applications Related to Hot Working
Structural components in appliances, machinery, and light industrial equipment
Sheets, plates, and strips for architectural and decorative panels
Automotive trim, brackets, and supports requiring shaping at elevated temperatures
Summary
200 series stainless steel exhibits excellent hot working performance, allowing for rolling, forging, extrusion, and complex forming at 1200–900°C. Hot working reduces work hardening, enhances ductility, and enables production of large or intricate parts, making it suitable for appliances, industrial equipment, architectural, and automotive applications.
