201 Stainless Steel

DESCRIPTION 
Type 201 Stainless Steel is an austenitic chromium-nickel-manganese stainless steel which was developed to conserve nickel. Type 201 is a lower cost alternative to conventional CrNi stainless steels such as 301 and 304. Nickel is replaced by additions of manganese and nitrogen. It is non-hardenable by thermal treatment, but may be cold worked to high tensile strengths. Type 201 is essentially nonmagnetic in the annealed condition and becomes magnetic when cold worked. Type 201 can be substituted for Type 301 in many applications. 
 
PRODUCT FORMS 
Sheet, Strip 
 
SPECIFICATIONS 
ASTM A240, A666 
 
APPLICATIONS 
Typical applications for Type 201 are cookware, hose clamps, piston rings, transit car structural members, transit car roofing/siding, thermal window spacers, air bag containers, and truck trailer posts and door frames. 
 
PROCESSING 
The annealing temperature for Type 201 is between 1850-2000°F. Rapid cooling through the carbide precipitation range, 1500–800°F, is necessary to keep the carbides in solution and prevent sensitization. Type 201 is not hardenable by thermal treatment; it is only hardenable by cold working. 
 
WELDING 
Type 201 can be welded by all conventional methods applied to 18 percent chromium, 8 percent nickel steels. Filler metal of the conventional chromium-nickel analyses can be used. Like other austenitic stainless steels where carbon is not controlled below 0.03%, Type 201 is susceptible to intergranular corrosion in the weld heat affected zone. 
 
CORROSION 
Type 201 is resistant to a wide variety of mild to moderately corrosive environments. It has corrosion resistance approaching that of Type 301 and has been successfully substituted for 304 in many mild environments. 
 
FORMING 
Type 201 has similar bending, forming and drawing characteristics to Type 301 stainless steel. 

Type Yield Strength 0.2% offset (KSI) Tensile Strength (KSI) % Elongation (2” Gauge Length) 
201 Ann 38 min. 75 min. 40.0 min. 
201 1/4 Hard 75 min. 125 min. 25.0 min. 
201 1/2 Hard 110 min. 150 min. 18.0 min. 
201 3/4 Hard 135 min. 175 min. 12.0 min. 
201 Full Hard 145 min. 185 min. 9.0 min. 
Element Type 201 
Carbon 0.15 max. 
Manganese 5.5 – 7.5 
Sulfur 0.030 max. 
Phosphorus 0.060 max. 
Silicon 1.0 max. 
Chromium 16.0 – 18.0 
Nickel 3.5 – 5.5 
Nitrogen 0.25 max. 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES 
Density @ RT: 0.283 lb./in^2; Modulus of Elasticity in Tension: 28.6 psi x 10^6; Specific Heat: 0.12 BTU/°F/lb. from 32 to 212°F; Thermal Conductivity: 9.4 at 212°F; Mean Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: 8.7 from 32 to 212°F, 9.7 from 32 to 600°F, and 10.2 from 32 to 1,000°F; Electrical Resistivity: 69 micro ohms-cm at 70°F; Melting Point Range: 2550/2650°F; Oxidation Resistance: 1550°F continuous service and 1500°F intermittent service. 

 

INformation

ISO Certified

Des Plaines Illinois Facility

Phone: 847-257-6570

Planta de Mexico – Queretaro

Phone: +52.811.6363844

TENNESSEE Facility

Phone: 615-793-4700

© 2026 NKS. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use
Purchasing Terms and Conditions
Privacy Notice
Site Map