What is 201 Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is a popular material choice for metalworking professionals, due to its durability and corrosion-resistant properties. There are multiple grades of stainless steel available, including grade 201 stainless steel. This particular grade offers a unique balance of strength, workability, and affordability. Let’s take a closer look at what makes 201 stainless steel such an attractive option for metalworking projects.
201 stainless steel chemical composition
Annealed grade 201 stainless steel is composed primarily of iron with between 16 and 18% chromium and up to 0.15% carbon. It also contains trace amounts of manganese, nickel, silicon, nitrogen, and copper. Due to its low carbon content and lower levels of other metals than other types of stainless steel, it has higher formability than the 300 series grades. In addition, it can be hardened by cold working processes but not heat-treated like 304 or 316 grades.
| Element | Content (%) |
| Iron, Fe | 72 |
| Chromium, Cr | 16.0 – 18.0 |
| Manganese, Mn | 5.50 – 7.50 |
| Nickel, Ni | 3.50 – 5.50 |
| Silicon, Si | 1.0 |
| Nitrogen, N | 0.25 |
| Carbon, C | 0.15 |
201 stainless steel mechanical properties
AISI 201 stainless steel is a popular grade of stainless steel that has unique mechanical properties. It is often used in manufacturing and industrial applications where strength, corrosion resistance, durability, and formability are important.
The most common mechanical properties of Grade 201 stainless steel include hardness, yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and ductility. Here is a brief overview of each of these properties.
| Properties | Metric | Imperial |
| Tensile strength (transverse at room temperature) | 685 MPa | 99400 psi |
| Tensile strength (longitudinal at room temperature) | 696 MPa | 101000 psi |
| Yield strength (transverse at room temperature) | 292 MPa | 42400 psi |
| Yield strength (longitudinal at room temperature) | 301 MPa | 43700 psi |
| Compressive strength | 365 MPa | 52900 psi |
| Elastic modulus | 197 GPa | 28573 ksi |
| Poisson’s ratio | 0.27-0.30 | 0.27-0.30 |
| Elongation at break (longitudinal at room temperature) | 56% | 56% |
| Elongation at break (transverse at room temperature) | 62.50% | 62.50% |
| Hardness, Rockwell B (transverse at room temperature) | 85 | 85 |
| Hardness, Rockwell B (longitudinal at room temperature) | 85 | 85 |
Physical properties of 201 stainless steel
| Property | 201 |
| Density, lb/in3 | 0.283 |
| Modulus of Elasticity, psi | 28.6 x 106 |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion, 68-212˚F, /˚F | 9.2 x 10-6 |
| Thermal Conductivity, Btu/ft hr ˚F | 9.4 |
| Specific Heat, Btu/lb ˚F | 0.12 |
| Electrical Resistivity, Microohm-in | 27.0 |
Equivalents of stainless steel 201
| ASTM A213
|
ASTM A666
|
| ASTM A240
|
QQ S766
|
| ASTM A249
|
ASME SA412
|
| ASTM A276
|
SAE 30201
|
| ASTM A412
|
SAE J405 (30201)
|
Uses for 201 Stainless Steel
Because it has good formability with moderate strength, 201 stainless steel is used in a variety of applications across various industries. It is often found in kitchen utensils and appliances because it does not easily discolor or rust after coming into contact with water or food products like some other grades do. It is also used in medical instruments as well as automotive parts that require some flexibility while still maintaining their strength under pressure. Additionally, this grade of stainless steel finds uses in railway carriages and architectural structures due to its high formability capabilities coupled with its resistance to harsh weather conditions such as rain or snowfall.
Conclusion:
All in all, 201 stainless steel offers metalworking professionals an economical solution that works well in many applications requiring both formability and strength without breaking the bank. While there are other grades available that may suit certain projects better depending on the specific requirements needed for each project such as higher levels of corrosion protection or heat-treatable properties – 201 always provides a unique balance between cost savings and performance characteristics making it ideal for many metalworking needs!
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