Stainless Steel 2101
UNS S32101 · EN 1.4162, X2CrMnNiN21-5-1 · also LDX 2101
2101 (LDX 2101, UNS S32101, 1.4162, X2CrMnNiN21-5-1) is a lean duplex stainless in which manganese and nitrogen replace much of the nickel, giving a ferritic-austenitic structure at low alloy cost.
Values for the Solution Annealed condition
2101 tempers and conditions
2101 is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. Solution Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
welded joint, no post-weld heat treatment | Typical fabricated-joint condition using 2209/25.10.4L type filler; strength matches base metal but weld-zone toughness and pitting resistance are somewhat lower. | 520 | 730 | 25 | 240 HB | 2.7 % IACS |
Solution AnnealedDefault 1000–1100 °C anneal + rapid quench (plate/coil/bar, default stock) | Default stocked condition for plate, coil, bar and tube — balanced 50/50 duplex structure with optimum corrosion resistance and toughness. | 530 | 750 | 38 | 230 HB | — |
cold drawn / cold finished bar and wire | Choose for bar, wire and fasteners needing higher strength and tighter tolerance than annealed bar. | 700 | 870 | 20 | 28 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
temper-rolled / cold-worked strip and tube (high strength) | Use where maximum strength per unit weight is needed (springs, clamps, reinforcement strip); ductility and formability are much reduced. | 800 | 950 | 12 | 33 HRC | 2.7 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways 2101 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
1D | Hot rolled, solution annealed, pickled plate | Surface finish |
2B | Cold rolled, annealed, pickled, skin-passed sheet/coil | Surface finish |
What is 2101?
2101 (LDX 2101, UNS S32101, 1.4162, X2CrMnNiN21-5-1) is a lean duplex stainless in which manganese and nitrogen replace much of the nickel, giving a ferritic-austenitic structure at low alloy cost. It is specified as a 304/316 replacement with roughly double the yield strength — 530 MPa yield, 750 MPa tensile and 38 % elongation solution annealed — and is available as plate, sheet, bar and welded tube. Chloride resistance (score 66) sits between 304 and 316L, service is limited to 300 °C, and machinability is 35; step up to 2205 when more pitting resistance is needed. 2101 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F). 2101 has a yield strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 81% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
What is 2101 used for?
- Bridges
- Storage tanks
- Architectural cladding
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 530 MPa (76.9 ksi), better than 81% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
2101 properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2101-Solution Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
2101 has a density of 7.8 g/cm³ (0.282 lb/in³), heavier than 50% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,420°C (2,588 °F).
Mechanical16
2101 has a yield strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 81% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 38% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
2101 is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 15 W/m·K (8.67 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 59% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 13 µm/m·K (7.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
2101 conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, better than 78% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 59% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2101 takes about 48 MJ of energy and emits 3.5 kg of CO₂ — less than 85% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 65%.
Manufacturability7
2101's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).
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. 2101 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with 2101
Is 2101 easy to machine?
Machine like a duplex: rigid setup, ~30–50 % of 304 cutting speed, heavy positive feed to cut under the work-hardened layer, sharp coated carbide and generous flood coolant.
Can 2101 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW/SAW with 2209 (22.9.3L) or 23.7.N filler, low-to-moderate heat input, interpass < 150 °C and no PWHT; avoid autogenous welding of thicker sections to keep ferrite/austenite balance.
Can 2101 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable but needs ~2× the press force and larger bend radii than 304, with noticeable springback; hot form 950–1150 °C then re-solution anneal and quench.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit applies to 2101. Every 2101 part is priced by an engineer; design inside these and the quote comes back without a redesign loop.
CNC machining
| Machinability | Fair35 / 100 |
|---|---|
| ISO material group | M.1 |
| Cutting speed (rough / finish) | 150 / 180 m/min |
| Minimum wall | 0.8 mm |
| Minimum internal radius | 1.5 mm |
| Drill depth limit | 4× diameter |
| Best surface (machined / polished) | Ra 1.6 / — |
| Hardenable after machining | No |
Sheet metal
| Formability | Fair55 / 100 |
|---|---|
| Weldability | Better70 / 100 |
| Bendable | Yes |
2101 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 |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤ 0.04 | 0.03 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.6 |
| Mnaustenite stabiliser replacing Ni | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| Smax (0.015 max in EN 1.4162) | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Cr | 21 – 22 | 21.5 |
| Nilean-Ni | 1.35 – 1.7 | 1.5 |
| Mo | 0.1 – 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Cu | 0.1 – 0.8 | 0.3 |
| Nkey strengthener / austenite stabiliser | 0.2 – 0.25 | 0.22 |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on 2101?
Pickle and passivate after welding to restore the passive film; takes a good brushed or mirror polish, no anodizing (ferrous).
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).
Plating
Organic Coating
CVD Coating
Black / Phosphate
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Stainless Steel 2101 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- UNS
- S32101
- EN / DIN / Werkstoff-Nr.
- 1.4162X2CrMnNiN21-5-1
- Trade names
- LDX 2101
How much does 2101 cost?
2101 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
2101 — frequently asked
What is 2101 used for?
2101 is typically used for bridges, storage tanks and architectural cladding. In short: lean duplex stainless plate.
What is the yield strength of 2101?
2101 has a typical yield strength of 530 MPa (76.9 ksi) and a tensile strength of 750 MPa (109 ksi) — stronger than 81% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is 2101 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades). Machine like a duplex: rigid setup, ~30–50 % of 304 cutting speed, heavy positive feed to cut under the work-hardened layer, sharp coated carbide and generous flood coolant.
Can 2101 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/SMAW/SAW with 2209 (22.9.3L) or 23.7.N filler, low-to-moderate heat input, interpass < 150 °C and no PWHT; avoid autogenous welding of thicker sections to keep ferrite/austenite balance.
What surface finishes work on 2101?
Pickle and passivate after welding to restore the passive film; takes a good brushed or mirror polish, no anodizing (ferrous).
Can 2101 be formed, bent or molded?
Cold formable but needs ~2× the press force and larger bend radii than 304, with noticeable springback; hot form 950–1150 °C then re-solution anneal and quench.
What is the maximum service temperature of 2101?
2101 is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does 2101 cost?
2101 is a premium-cost stainless steel ($$$), cheaper than about 51% 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2101?
Yes — 2101 is available for CNC machining and sheet metal; every part is priced by an engineer rather than instantly. 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 (S32101) — ASTM International (2024)
- EN 10088-2 — Stainless steels: technical delivery conditions for sheet/plate and strip (1.4162) — CEN (2014)
- Forta LDX 2101 / duplex stainless datasheet — Outokumpu (2023)
- Sandvik SAF 2101 / lean duplex tube data — Alleima (Sandvik Materials Technology) (2022)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- Practical Guidelines for the Fabrication of Duplex Stainless Steels — IMOA (2014)
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.