Stainless Steel 201LN
AISI/SAE 201LN · UNS S20153
201LN (UNS S20153) is a nitrogen-strengthened, low-carbon Cr-Mn austenitic stainless in which controlled nitrogen raises strength while the low carbon keeps weld zones free of sensitization.
Reference datasheet — 201LN 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 ANN condition
201LN tempers and conditions
201LN is supplied in 7 conditions, soft to hard. ANN 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANNDefault Annealed | Default stocked condition: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for forming, deep drawing and welded fabrication. | 380 | 750 | 50 | 195 HB | — |
1/16-Hard | Choose when a modest strength lift over annealed is needed while keeping near-annealed formability and flatness. | 450 | 800 | 40 | 220 HB | — |
1/8-Hard | Intermediate temper for lightly formed structural panels needing higher yield without full quarter-hard stiffness. | 520 | 860 | 33 | 245 HB | — |
Quarter hard | Common structural temper for rail-car/bus sheet and panels where high yield strength allows gauge reduction. | 620 | 950 | 25 | 25 HRC | — |
Half hard | High-strength temper for flat or simply bent parts — springy panels, straps and brackets where forming is minimal. | 830 | 1,100 | 15 | 32 HRC | — |
Three-quarter hard | Specialty high-strength strip temper for flat spring-like parts; only simple bends possible. | 980 | 1,250 | 12 | 37 HRC | 2.4 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum strength/springiness strip and coil; essentially no forming beyond gentle bends, magnetic and notch sensitive. | 1,080 | 1,350 | 9 | 41 HRC | — |
What is 201LN?
201LN (UNS S20153) is a nitrogen-strengthened, low-carbon Cr-Mn austenitic stainless in which controlled nitrogen raises strength while the low carbon keeps weld zones free of sensitization. It is used for welded structural and trim parts and is supplied annealed and in 1/16H to full-hard tempers, with 380 MPa yield, 750 MPa tensile, 50 % elongation and a formability score of 80. Maximum service temperature is 550 °C, chloride pitting resistance is below 304 (score 52), and rapid work hardening gives a machinability score of 33. 201L or 304L are the usual alternatives. 201LN 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). 201LN has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 52% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
What is 201LN used for?
- structural welded components
- transportation trim
- appliance housings
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 50%, better than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Readily welded — 80/100, better than 80% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Needs corrosion protection — 52/100, worse than 76% of stainless steel grades
201LN properties
Typical room-temperature values for 201LN-ANN; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
201LN 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).
Mechanical16
201LN has a yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 52% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 50% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
201LN is rated for continuous service to 550°C (1,022 °F). It conducts heat at 16 W/m·K (9.24 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 58% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.9 µm/m·K (9.39 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
201LN conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, better than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 76% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 201LN takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 60%.
Manufacturability8
201LN's machinability is poor (33/100, worse than 57% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (80/100); formability very good (80/100).
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. 201LN is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 201LN
Is 201LN easy to machine?
Work-hardens rapidly — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling or rubbing.
Can 201LN be welded?
Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L/209 type filler; low C + N limits sensitisation, keep heat input and interpass temperature low.
Can 201LN be formed, bent or molded?
Very good stretch formability but high yield and springback; allow extra bend allowance, use higher press tonnage and consider interstage annealing for deep draws.
201LN 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 for weld corrosion resistance | ≤ 0.03 | 0.02 |
| Mnaustenite stabiliser replacing Ni | 6.4 – 7.5 | 7 |
| Si | ≤ 0.75 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.05 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 17.5 | 16.8 |
| Ni | 4 – 5 | 4.5 |
| Nprimary strengthening element | 0.1 – 0.25 | 0.17 |
| Curesidual/optional | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 201LN?
Not anodisable; pickle/passivate after welding, and use No.4, BA or electropolished finishes — surface must be kept clean since chloride pitting resistance is below 304.
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 201LN in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S20153
How much does 201LN cost?
201LN is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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.
201LN — frequently asked
What is 201LN used for?
201LN is typically used for structural welded components, transportation trim and appliance housings. In short: nitrogen-strengthened 201; high strength, high formability; best-welding 2xx grade.
What is the yield strength of 201LN?
201LN has a typical yield strength of 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 52% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 201LN easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (33/100, worse than 57% of stainless steel grades). Work-hardens rapidly — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed and flood coolant; avoid dwelling or rubbing.
Can 201LN be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (80/100). Readily welded by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L/209 type filler; low C + N limits sensitisation, keep heat input and interpass temperature low.
What surface finishes work on 201LN?
Not anodisable; pickle/passivate after welding, and use No.4, BA or electropolished finishes — surface must be kept clean since chloride pitting resistance is below 304.
Can 201LN be formed, bent or molded?
Very good stretch formability but high yield and springback; allow extra bend allowance, use higher press tonnage and consider interstage annealing for deep draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 201LN?
201LN is rated for continuous use to about 550°C (1,022 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between 201LN-ANN and 201LN-FH?
ANN is the default condition — default stocked condition: maximum ductility and corrosion resistance for forming, deep drawing and welded fabrication. FH: maximum strength/springiness strip and coil; essentially no forming beyond gentle bends, magnetic and notch sensitive. Yield strength is 380 MPa in ANN versus 1,080 MPa in FH.
How much does 201LN cost?
201LN is a standard-cost stainless steel ($$), cheaper than about 71% 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 — ASTM International (2023)
- ASTM A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- GB/T 3280 ( 1Cr17Mn6Ni5N ) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- 201LN / S20153 Cr-Mn austenitic stainless product data — Outokumpu / AK Steel (2020)
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.