Materials & grades
201 / 1.4372 / SUS201 low-nickel austenitic stainless steel (S20100, X12CrMnNiN17-7-5)
AISI 201 is a low-nickel austenitic stainless steel that replaces part of the nickel in 304 with manganese and nitrogen, giving higher strength at a lower alloy cost. It is UNS S20100 in the USA, X12CrMnNiN17-7-5 (1.4372) in Europe and SUS201 in Japan.
Names by standard
What it is called in each region
| Region | System | Designation | Norme | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | AISI/ASTM | 201ASTM A240 lists more than one 201 type. Type 201-2 has a higher minimum strength than the original 201-1. | ASTM A240 (plate, sheet, strip); ASTM A666 | Same material |
| UNS | S20100 | — | Same material | |
| UK | BS (legacy) | 284S16Superseded British name. Outokumpu lists it against 1.4372 (201); other sources attach it to AISI 202, so treat it as closest only. | — | Closest equivalent |
| EU | EN 10027-1 name | X12CrMnNiN17-7-5 | EN 10088-2; EN 10088-3 | Equivalent |
| EN 10027-2 number | 1.4372 | EN 10088-2; EN 10088-3 | Equivalent | |
| DIN (legacy) | X12CrMnNiN17-7-5 (1.4372)Superseded German standard. The name and number carried over unchanged into EN 10088. | DIN 17440 | Equivalent | |
| Inde | IS 6911 | X10Cr17Mn6Ni4N20IS 6911:1992 gives this grade the numerical symbol 201. Limits differ from ASTM 201, so treat it as the nearest Indian grade. | IS 6911 (plate, sheet and strip) | Closest equivalent |
| IS 1570 (Part 5) / IS 6603 | X10Cr17Mn6Ni4 / X10Cr17Mn6Ni4NCarbon is allowed up to 0.20 %, against 0.15 % in ASTM 201. | IS 1570 (Part 5):1985; IS 6603:2001 (bars) | Closest equivalent | |
| Japan | JIS | SUS201 | JIS G 4303 (bar); JIS G 4304 / G 4305 (plate, sheet) | Equivalent |
On equivalence
- 201 is not an alternative composition of 304. Nickel is about 3.5–5.5 % against 8.0–10.5 %, and manganese is 5.5–7.5 % against 2 % maximum.
- India has a large 200-series market. Mill names such as J1 and J4 are trade names for lower-nickel, copper-bearing 200-series grades. They are not designations in ASTM, EN or IS, and their chemistry varies by mill, so ask for the mill certificate.
- IS 15997:2012 covers copper-bearing low-nickel austenitic grades (for example 9Mn1Ni, 8Mn2Ni and 7Mn4Ni in Jindal's BIS presentation). These are separate from AISI 201.
- Indian names on this page come from IS 1570 (Part 5):1985, IS 6911:1992 and IS 6603:2001. IS 6911 has since been revised (a 2017 edition exists), so check the edition named on the order.
- EN 10088 limits phosphorus to 0.045 % and sulphur to 0.015 % for flat 1.4372, against 0.060 % and 0.030 % in ASTM A240 and JIS.
- ASTM A240 also lists other 201 types, and 202 (UNS S20200, 1.4373, SUS202) is the higher-manganese relative.
Chemical composition
Composition limits, mass %
| Element | 201 (S20100)USA · ASTM A240 | X12CrMnNiN17-7-5 (1.4372)EU · EN 10088-2 (flat products) | X10Cr17Mn6Ni4Inde · IS 1570 (Part 5):1985 | SUS201Japan · JIS G 4303 (bar) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | ≤0.15 | ≤0.15 | ≤0.20 | ≤0.15 |
| Si | ≤1.00 | ≤1.00 | ≤1.0 | ≤1.00 |
| Mn | 5.50–7.50 | 5.5–7.5 | 4.0–8.0 | 5.50–7.50 |
| P | ≤0.060 | ≤0.045 | ≤0.045 | ≤0.060 |
| S | ≤0.030 | ≤0.015 | ≤0.030 | ≤0.030 |
| Cr | 16.0–18.0 | 16.0–18.0 | 16.0–18.0 | 16.00–18.00 |
| Ni | 3.5–5.5 | 3.5–5.5 | 3.5–5.5 | 3.50–5.50 |
| N | ≤0.25 | 0.05–0.25 | — | ≤0.25 |
Mechanical properties
Strength and hardness
| Condition | Tensile strength | Yield strength | Elongation | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed, ASTM A240 type 201-1Specified minimums, plate, sheet and strip; hardness is a maximumASTM A240 values as published by Atlas Steels and ICAST | ≥515 MPa≥75 ksi | ≥260 MPa≥38 ksi | ≥40 % | ≤217 HB (≤95 HRB) |
| Annealed, ASTM A240 type 201-2Specified minimums, plate, sheet and strip; hardness is a maximumASTM A240 values as published by ATI (201 HP) | ≥655 MPa≥95 ksi | ≥310 MPa≥45 ksi | ≥40 % | ≤100 HRB |
| Solution treated (SUS201)Specified minimums per the JIS reference sheet; hardness is a maximumJIS reference sheet by Nose Stainless | ≥520 MPa≥75 ksi | ≥275 MPa≥40 ksi | ≥40 % | ≤241 HBW (≤100 HRBW) |
| Cold rolled strip, annealed (1.4372)EN 10088-2:2014 minimums for strip up to 8 mm; elongation A80EN 10088-2:2014 (680–880 MPa; the 2005 edition gave 750–950 MPa), as read by the independent checker; Outokumpu quotes the ≥680 lower limit | 680–880 MPa99–127 ksi | ≥350 MPa≥51 ksi | ≥45 % | — |
In practice
Behaviour, heat treatment and uses
Characteristics
- A low-nickel grade: 3.5–5.5 % nickel against 8.0–10.5 % in 304. Manganese (5.5–7.5 %) and nitrogen replace part of the nickel to hold the austenitic structure.
- Minimum yield strength is higher than 304 in the annealed state (260 MPa for type 201-1, 310 MPa for type 201-2, against 205 MPa for 304).
- Outokumpu describes 1.4372 as a low-nickel variant of 1.4301 whose overall corrosion resistance is close to 304, with lower repassivation ability; choose 304 or 316 where chlorides or wet conditions are expected.
- Work hardens and becomes magnetic with cold work.
- Outokumpu rates 1.4372 as resistant to intergranular corrosion as delivered but not after sensitising, and recommends 300-series or 18 8 Mn filler metals for welding.
- Often used in place of 301 where a strong, formable, low-nickel grade is acceptable.
Heat treatment
- Solution annealing: 1010–1120 °C then rapid cooling (JIS reference sheet); Outokumpu gives 1050 ± 50 °C.
- Cannot be hardened by heat treatment. Strength is raised by cold work.
Usages types
- Utensils, cookware and kitchen equipment
- Consumer durables and catering equipment
- Railway vehicle bodies and transport trim
- Architectural and automotive trim
- Cold-formed parts where strength matters more than corrosion resistance
Stainless steels
Similar grades compared
| Grade | C % | Mn % | Cr % | Ni % | Tensile, first listed condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 201 / 1.4372 | ≤0.15 | 5.50–7.50 | 16.0–18.0 | 3.5–5.5 | ≥515 MPa |
| 301 / 1.4310 | ≤0.15 | ≤2.00 | 16.0–18.0 | 6.0–8.0 | ≥515 MPa |
| 303 / 1.4305 | ≤0.15 | ≤2.0 | 17.0–19.0 | 8.0–10.0 | 650 MPa |
| 304 / 1.4301 | ≤0.08 | ≤2.00 | 18.0–20.0 | 8.0–10.5 | ≥515 MPa |
| 304L / 1.4307 | ≤0.030 | ≤2.00 | 18.0–20.0 | 8.0–12.0 | ≥485 MPa |
| 309 / 309S | ≤0.08 | ≤2.00 | 22.0–24.0 | 12.0–15.0 | ≥515 MPa |
| 310 / 310S | ≤0.08 | ≤2.00 | 24.0–26.0 | 19.0–22.0 | ≥515 MPa |
| 316 / 1.4401 | ≤0.08 | ≤2.00 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–14.0 | ≥515 MPa |
| 316L | ≤0.030 | ≤2.00 | 16.0–18.0 | 10.0–14.0 | ≥485 MPa |
| 321 | ≤0.08 | ≤2.00 | 17.0–19.0 | 9.0–12.0 | ≥515 MPa |
Composition from the US standard where one exists, otherwise the first standard listed on each grade's page. Strength conditions differ between grades; open a grade for its full table.
Questions et réponses
Common questions
What is the equivalent of 201 stainless steel?
UNS S20100 in the USA, X12CrMnNiN17-7-5 (1.4372) in Europe and SUS201 in Japan are the matching names. India has no exact match; X10Cr17Mn6Ni4N20 (IS 6911) is the nearest grade.
What is the difference between 201 and 304?
201 has about 3.5–5.5 % nickel and 5.5–7.5 % manganese; 304 has 8.0–10.5 % nickel and at most 2 % manganese. 201 has higher minimum yield strength but lower corrosion resistance, so 304 is the safer choice in wet or chloride-bearing service.
What are J1 and J4 stainless steel?
J1 and J4 are mill trade names used in India for lower-nickel, copper-bearing 200-series stainless steels. They are not ASTM, EN or IS designations, and the exact chemistry depends on the mill.
Is 201 stainless steel magnetic?
Annealed 201 is austenitic and essentially non-magnetic. Cold working, such as bending or drawing, can make it magnetic.
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Related references
References
Sources
- ATI: 201 HP austenitic stainless steel (UNS S20100) — ASTM A240 composition and type 201-2 minimum strength.
- Outokumpu: Steel grades, properties and global standards — Cross-reference (EN, ASTM, UNS, JIS, BS), EN and ASTM minimum properties, annealing and weld-filler guidance for 1.4372.
- Nose Stainless: steel types, composition and mechanical properties (JIS reference sheet) — SUS201 composition, solution-treated properties and notes.
- Roymech: BS EN 10088 stainless steels — EN 10088-2 composition for 1.4372 and strip properties.
- Atlas Steels Product Reference Manual, Section 9: stainless steel properties and equivalent grades — 201 and 202 composition, A240 minimum properties, EN, UNS and JIS cross-reference.
- ICAST: ASTM A240 UNS S20100 — Secondary check of the A240 composition and 515 / 260 MPa minimums. The carbon limit on the page is a typo for 0.15 %.
- Bureau of Indian Standards, IS 1570 (Part 5):1985 (Public.Resource.Org copy) — Table 1 composition for X10Cr17Mn6Ni4.
- Bureau of Indian Standards, IS 6911:1992 Stainless steel plate, sheet and strip (Public.Resource.Org copy) — Grade list with numerical symbol 201 for X10Cr17Mn6Ni4N20.
- Bureau of Indian Standards, IS 6603:2001 Stainless steel bars and flats (Public.Resource.Org copy) — Lists X10Cr17Mn6Ni4N for bars.
- Jindal Stainless: benefits of stainless steel for utensils (presentation to BIS) — History of the 200 series in India, 201 composition, IS 15997:2012 low-nickel grades.
- Saky Steel: difference between 201, 201 J1, J2, J3 and J4 — Trade-name usage only; not a standard.
Values summarize published limits and typical data. The governing standard and the current edition control; check them before specifying.