Stainless Steel 201L Annealed
Temper · default condition
AISI/SAE 201L · UNS S20103
Default stocked condition: softest, most formable and weldable, essentially non-magnetic.
Values for the Annealed 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AnnealedDefaultThis page 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 Annealed?
201L Annealed is 201L in the Annealed temper — default stocked condition: softest, most formable and weldable, essentially non-magnetic. 201L Annealed 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). 201L Annealed 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).
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 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 201L Annealed; 16 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 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 201L Annealed
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 Annealed — frequently asked
What is 201L Annealed used for?
201L Annealed 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 Annealed?
201L Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed?
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 Annealed 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 Annealed?
201L Annealed 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.
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.