Stainless Steel 201 Cold Rolled vs 201 Hot Rolled
Stainless Steel · 201 temper comparison
201 Cold Rolled and 201 Hot Rolled are two conditions of the same stainless steel grade, 201: Cold Rolled versus Hot Rolled. The chemistry is identical, so every difference below comes from the condition. 201 Cold Rolled is the stronger of the two: yield strength 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 201 Hot Rolled, about 33% more; tensile strength follows at 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 730 MPa (106 ksi). In exchange, 201 Hot Rolled is the more ductile: elongation 50% versus 42% for 201 Cold Rolled, and 201 Cold Rolled is harder (228 HB vs 170 HB). 201 Hot Rolled runs hotter in service (760°C vs 400°C continuous).
201 Cold RolledChoose it when strength drives the design.
201 Hot RolledChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.
201 Cold Rolled vs 201 Hot Rolled: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all stainless steel grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 197 GPa28.6 Msi · Shear Modulus 77 GPa11.2 Msi · Bulk Modulus 150 GPa21.8 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.28
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Same in both: Density 7.8 g/cm³0.28 lb/in³ · Melting Point (Solidus) 1,400°C2,552 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,450°C2,642 °F
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.2 W/m·K9.4 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 16 µm/m·K8.9 µin/in·°F · Latent Heat of Fusion 270 J/g116 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -100°C-148 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 2.5 % IACS · Electrical Resistivity 6.9×10⁻⁷ Ω·m27.2 µΩ·in
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.15 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 60 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 42 MJ/kg18,057 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 4 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 60 L/kg7.2 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 55%
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
201 Cold Rolled vs 201 Hot Rolled — frequently asked
Is 201 Cold Rolled stronger than 201 Hot Rolled?
Yes. 201 Cold Rolled has a typical yield strength of 480 MPa (69.6 ksi) against 360 MPa (52.2 ksi) for 201 Hot Rolled — about 33% more. Tensile strength is 850 MPa (123 ksi) vs 730 MPa (106 ksi).
Which condition does FabDigit quote by default, Cold Rolled or Hot Rolled?
Annealed is the default 201 condition in the FabDigit quote flow (neither Cold Rolled nor Hot Rolled). The other condition is available on request or by drawing note — specify it in the material field or the part notes and the quote is priced for it.
Which welds better, 201 Cold Rolled or 201 Hot Rolled?
201 Hot Rolled. Its weldability rates good (60/100) against good (55/100) for 201 Cold Rolled.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in 201 Cold Rolled and 201 Hot Rolled side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.