Stainless Steel 202 · temper · default condition
Stainless Steel 202 Annealed
Properties of the Annealed condition, compared with the other 202 tempers.
Standard stocked condition: softest, most formable and most corrosion-resistant state for deep drawing and welding.
What is 202 Annealed?
202 Annealed is 202 in the Annealed temper — standard stocked condition: softest, most formable and most corrosion-resistant state for deep drawing and welding. 202 Annealed has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — weaker than 54% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). 202 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 — 55%, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Forms and bends easily — 80/100, better than 93% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of stainless steel grades
202 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for 202 Annealed — 12 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 202 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
202 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
202 Annealed has a yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — weaker than 54% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
202 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 17.5 µm/m·K (9.72 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
202 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 202 Annealed takes about 45 MJ of energy and emits 3.4 kg of CO₂ — less than 91% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability8
202 Annealed's machinability is fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (65/100); 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.
Other 202 tempers and conditions
202 is also supplied in 7 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 202 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultStandard stocked condition: softest, most formable and most corrosion-resistant state for deep drawing and welding.345 MPa yield · 190 HB
- Cold RolledGeneral cold-rolled 2B/BA decorative sheet and tube strip: slightly higher strength and better surface than hot-rolled annealed.420 MPa yield · 95 HRB
Working with 202 Annealed
Is 202 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feed with no dwell and copious coolant; roughly 40 % of 1212 free-cutting rate.
Can 202 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 309L filler; keep heat input low, avoid 425–815 °C dwell to limit sensitization, and back-purge tube welds.
Can 202 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-draw and roll-form behaviour but a high work-hardening rate — allow extra press tonnage, generous bend radii and interstage annealing for severe draws.
What surface finishes work on 202?
Takes No.4 brushed and No.8 mirror polish well and accepts PVD colour coating; passivate or electropolish after fabrication, and do not anodize.
202 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CASTM A240 max | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| Mnaustenite stabilizer replacing Ni | 7.5 – 10 | 8.75 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 17 – 19 | 18 |
| Ni | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| N | ≤ 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Fe | balance | — |
202 Annealed — frequently asked
What is 202 Annealed used for?
202 Annealed is typically used for restaurant equipment, architectural trim and sinks. In short: manganese-nickel austenitic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 202 Annealed?
202 Annealed has a typical yield strength of 345 MPa (50 ksi) and a tensile strength of 655 MPa (95 ksi) — weaker than 54% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is 202 Annealed easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (38/100, better than 63% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, positive-rake sharp carbide, heavy feed with no dwell and copious coolant; roughly 40 % of 1212 free-cutting rate.
Can 202 Annealed be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (65/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods with 308L or 309L filler; keep heat input low, avoid 425–815 °C dwell to limit sensitization, and back-purge tube welds.
What surface finishes work on 202 Annealed?
Takes No.4 brushed and No.8 mirror polish well and accepts PVD colour coating; passivate or electropolish after fabrication, and do not anodize.
Can 202 Annealed be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-draw and roll-form behaviour but a high work-hardening rate — allow extra press tonnage, generous bend radii and interstage annealing for severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 202 Annealed?
202 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 202 Annealed?
Yes — 202 Annealed is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
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)
- JIS G 4305 (SUS202) — JSA (2021)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
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.