Stainless Steel 201L
AISI/SAE 201L · UNS S20103
201L (UNS S20103) is a low-carbon Cr-Mn-Ni austenitic stainless, the ≤0.03 % C version of 201, in which manganese and nitrogen replace part of the nickel.
Reference datasheet — 201L is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the Annealed condition
201L tempers and conditions
201L is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 7 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (1010–1120 °C, rapid cool) | Default stocked condition: softest, most formable and weldable, essentially non-magnetic. | 370 | 720 | 52 | 185 HB | — |
1/16 Hard | Slight temper roll for improved flatness and a modest strength lift while keeping good bendability. | 430 | 760 | 40 | 95 HRB | — |
1/8 Hard | Light cold-work temper for roll-formed trim and tube that still needs generous bend radii. | 490 | 830 | 30 | 22 HRC | — |
Quarter hard | Most common structural cold-worked temper: roughly double the annealed yield with usable bend performance. | 570 | 900 | 25 | 27 HRC | — |
Half hard | High-strength temper for structural strip, clamps and rail/transport panels where only simple bends are needed. | 800 | 1,080 | 15 | 32 HRC | — |
Three-quarter hard | Near-maximum cold work for springy strip and high-load flat parts; forming limited to gentle radii. | 965 | 1,240 | 10 | 37 HRC | — |
Full hard | Maximum strength strip for springs, shims and blanked flat parts; essentially no bendability across the rolling direction. | 1,020 | 1,320 | 8 | 41 HRC | — |
What is 201L?
201L (UNS S20103) is a low-carbon Cr-Mn-Ni austenitic stainless, the ≤0.03 % C version of 201, in which manganese and nitrogen replace part of the nickel. It is chosen for cost-sensitive welded and decorative parts and is supplied annealed and in tempers from 1/16H to full hard, with 370 MPa yield, 720 MPa tensile and 52 % elongation. The low carbon avoids weld sensitization, but chloride pitting resistance is below 304 (corrosion score 55) and rapid work hardening makes it harder to machine (score 38). 304L is the nearest alternative where corrosion resistance governs. 201L has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F). 201L has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 50% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 52% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
What is 201L used for?
- welded appliance parts
- food service equipment
- architectural trim
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 52%, better than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 70/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
201L properties
Typical room-temperature values for 201L-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
201L has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,400°C (2,552 °F).
Mechanical15
201L has a yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 50% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 52% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
201L is rated for continuous service to 760°C (1,400 °F). It conducts heat at 16.2 W/m·K (9.36 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 64% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 15.7 µm/m·K (8.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
201L conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, better than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 201L takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.8 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability7
201L's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability very good (70/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the stainless steel family
Yield strength against density for every stainless steel grade FabDigit runs. 201L is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 201L
Is 201L easy to machine?
Treat like 304 but tougher: rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feed to stay under the work-hardened skin, and copious coolant.
Can 201L be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 209 filler; the ≤0.03 % C avoids sensitization, but keep heat input low to limit hot cracking and distortion.
Can 201L be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable in the annealed temper, but the work-hardening rate is higher than 304 — expect more springback, higher press loads and possible interstage annealing.
201L chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Clow-carbon limit vs 0.15 max for 201 | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mn | 5.5 – 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Ni | 3.5 – 5.5 | 4.5 |
| Naustenite stabiliser replacing Ni | ≤ 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 201L?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, or use No.4 brushed, mirror-polished, PVD-coated or electropolished finishes typical of decorative 201 sheet.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on stainless steel parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Passivation
Organic Coating
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 201L in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S20103
How much does 201L cost?
201L is a budget-cost stainless steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
201L — frequently asked
What is 201L used for?
201L is typically used for welded appliance parts, food service equipment and architectural trim. In short: weldable low-carbon 201; lower-nickel 304 substitute; sensitization-resistant Cr-Mn steel.
What is the yield strength of 201L?
201L has a typical yield strength of 370 MPa (53.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 720 MPa (104 ksi) — stronger than 50% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 201L easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Treat like 304 but tougher: rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy feed to stay under the work-hardened skin, and copious coolant.
Can 201L be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 209 filler; the ≤0.03 % C avoids sensitization, but keep heat input low to limit hot cracking and distortion.
What surface finishes work on 201L?
Not anodizable; passivate per ASTM A967, or use No.4 brushed, mirror-polished, PVD-coated or electropolished finishes typical of decorative 201 sheet.
Can 201L be formed, bent or molded?
Deep drawable in the annealed temper, but the work-hardening rate is higher than 304 — expect more springback, higher press loads and possible interstage annealing.
What is the maximum service temperature of 201L?
201L is rated for continuous use to about 760°C (1,400 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 201L Annealed and 201L-FH?
Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition: softest, most formable and weldable, essentially non-magnetic. FH: maximum strength strip for springs, shims and blanked flat parts; essentially no bendability across the rolling direction. Yield strength is 370 MPa in Annealed versus 1,020 MPa in FH.
How much does 201L cost?
201L is a budget-cost stainless steel ($), cheaper than about 90% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- ASTM A240/A240M — Chromium and Chromium-Nickel Stainless Steel Plate, Sheet and Strip (S20103) — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- GB/T 3280 (022Cr17Mn6Ni4N) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol.13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.