Stainless Steel 201LN 1/2H
Supply condition
AISI/SAE 201LN · UNS S20153
1/2H = half hard
High-strength temper for flat or simply bent parts — springy panels, straps and brackets where forming is minimal.
Values for the 1/2H condition
Other 201LN tempers and conditions
201LN is listed in 7 conditions; see the grade overview at 201LN.
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 | — |
1/2HThis page 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 1/2H?
201LN 1/2H is 201LN supplied in the 1/2H condition — high-strength temper for flat or simply bent parts — springy panels, straps and brackets where forming is minimal. 201LN 1/2H has a yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). 201LN 1/2H 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). ANN is the default condition FabDigit quotes; 1/2H is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 830 MPa (120 ksi), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited ductility — 15%, worse than 89% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 49/100, worse than 79% of stainless steel grades
201LN 1/2H properties
Typical room-temperature values for 201LN 1/2H; 15 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are 201LN reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
201LN 1/2H 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 1/2H has a yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
201LN 1/2H is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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 1/2H conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, better than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (49/100), worse than 79% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 201LN 1/2H 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 1/2H's machinability is poor (34/100, worse than 55% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with 201LN 1/2H
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.
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.
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 | — |
201LN 1/2H — frequently asked
What is 201LN 1/2H used for?
201LN 1/2H 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 1/2H?
201LN 1/2H has a typical yield strength of 830 MPa (120 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 201LN 1/2H easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (34/100, worse than 55% 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 1/2H be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). 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 1/2H?
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 1/2H 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 1/2H?
201LN 1/2H 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 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.