Stainless Steel 201L 1/4H
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 201L · UNS S20103
1/4H = quarter hard
Most common structural cold-worked temper: roughly double the annealed yield with usable bend performance.
Values for the 1/4H condition
Other 201L tempers and conditions
201L is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 201L.
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 | — |
1/4HThis page 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 1/4H?
201L 1/4H is 201L supplied in the 1/4H condition — most common structural cold-worked temper: roughly double the annealed yield with usable bend performance. 201L 1/4H has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). 201L 1/4H 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/4H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Tough — resists crack growth — 200 MPa·√m (182 ksi·√in), better than 86% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 570 MPa (82.7 ksi), better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.8 kg CO₂/kg, better than 77% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
201L 1/4H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 201L 1/4H; 12 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 201L reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
201L 1/4H 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 1/4H has a yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 25% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
201L 1/4H is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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 1/4H 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 1/4H 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 1/4H's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (62/100); formability fair (45/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 201L 1/4H
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.
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.
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 | — |
201L 1/4H — frequently asked
What is 201L 1/4H used for?
201L 1/4H 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 1/4H?
201L 1/4H has a typical yield strength of 570 MPa (82.7 ksi) and a tensile strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 201L 1/4H 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 1/4H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (62/100). 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 1/4H?
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 1/4H 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 1/4H?
201L 1/4H is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.