Stainless Steel 2101 · supply condition
Stainless Steel 2101 Cold Worked
Properties of the Cold Worked condition, compared with the other 2101 tempers.
Use where maximum strength per unit weight is needed (springs, clamps, reinforcement strip); ductility and formability are much reduced.
What is 2101 Cold Worked?
2101 Cold Worked is 2101 supplied in the Cold Worked condition — use where maximum strength per unit weight is needed (springs, clamps, reinforcement strip); ductility and formability are much reduced. 2101 Cold Worked has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 2101 Cold Worked 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). Solution Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Cold Worked is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 800 MPa (116 ksi), better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, better than 79% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 95% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
2101 Cold Worked properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2101 Cold Worked — 9 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 2101 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
2101 Cold Worked 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 Cold Worked has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
2101 Cold Worked 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 Cold Worked conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, better than 79% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (63/100), better than 52% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2101 Cold Worked 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 Cold Worked's machinability is poor (30/100, worse than 71% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (20/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 2101 tempers and conditions
2101 is also supplied in 5 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 2101 overview.
- Solution AnnealedDefaultDefault stocked condition for plate, coil, bar and tube — balanced 50/50 duplex structure with optimum corrosion resistance and toughness.530 MPa yield · 230 HB
- Cold WorkedUse where maximum strength per unit weight is needed (springs, clamps, reinforcement strip); ductility and formability are much reduced.800 MPa yield · 33 HRC
- Cold DrawnChoose for bar, wire and fasteners needing higher strength and tighter tolerance than annealed bar.700 MPa yield · 28 HRC
- 2BThin sheet/coil (≤6 mm) with smooth bright finish for fabricated vessels, panels and formed parts.560 MPa yield · 240 HB
- 1DStandard heavy plate condition (≈3–50 mm) for tanks, structures and abrasion-resistant liners.500 MPa yield · 220 HB
Working with 2101 Cold Worked
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.
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).
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 | — |
2101 Cold Worked — frequently asked
What is 2101 Cold Worked used for?
2101 Cold Worked is typically used for bridges, storage tanks and architectural cladding. In short: lean duplex stainless plate.
What is the yield strength of 2101 Cold Worked?
2101 Cold Worked has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 950 MPa (138 ksi) — stronger than 97% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2101 Cold Worked easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (30/100, worse than 71% 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 Cold Worked 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 Cold Worked?
Pickle and passivate after welding to restore the passive film; takes a good brushed or mirror polish, no anodizing (ferrous).
Can 2101 Cold Worked 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 Cold Worked?
2101 Cold Worked 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 2101 Solution Annealed and 2101 1D?
Solution Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition for plate, coil, bar and tube — balanced 50/50 duplex structure with optimum corrosion resistance and toughness. 1D: standard heavy plate condition (≈3–50 mm) for tanks, structures and abrasion-resistant liners. Yield strength is 530 MPa in Solution Annealed versus 500 MPa in 1D.
Can FabDigit make parts in 2101 Cold Worked?
Yes — 2101 Cold Worked 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 (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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.