Stainless Steel S20161
UNS S20161
S20161 is a low-nickel Cr-Mn-Ni-N austenitic stainless with 3–4 % silicon, developed as a cost-stable alternative to Type 301/304 and used where self-mated sliding parts must resist galling.
Reference datasheet — S20161 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 Annealed condition
S20161 tempers and conditions
S20161 is supplied in 8 conditions, soft to hard. Annealed is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 8 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot rolled | Heavy plate and hot-finished bar supplied annealed and pickled for weldments and machined blanks. | 390 | 720 | 52 | 195 HB | 2 % IACS |
AnnealedDefault solution annealed (~1040–1120 °C, water quenched) | Default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar and wire; maximum ductility, formability and corrosion resistance. | 400 | 730 | 55 | 200 HB | — |
1/16 Hard | Choose when a modest strength lift over annealed is needed while keeping good bendability. | 450 | 790 | 45 | 220 HB | 2 % IACS |
Quarter hard | Structural sheet/strip where higher yield is required but roll-forming and moderate bending are still needed. | 590 | 930 | 30 | 26 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Cold drawn | Bar and shafting where a straight, size-accurate product with raised yield is required (bushings, wear pins, valve stems). | 650 | 900 | 25 | 27 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Half hard | For flat springs, brackets and panels needing high strength with limited forming. | 830 | 1,100 | 22 | 32 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Three-quarter hard | High-strength strip for lightly formed structural and spring parts. | 1,000 | 1,260 | 14 | 37 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Full hard | Maximum as-rolled strength for flat parts, shims and spring strip with essentially no forming. | 1,050 | 1,330 | 11 | 41 HRC | 2 % IACS |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways S20161 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
WIRE-CD | Cold Drawn Wire | Supply form |
What is S20161?
S20161 is a low-nickel Cr-Mn-Ni-N austenitic stainless with 3–4 % silicon, developed as a cost-stable alternative to Type 301/304 and used where self-mated sliding parts must resist galling. Annealed material shows 400 MPa yield, 730 MPa tensile, 55 % elongation and 200 HB (92 HRB) with a maximum service temperature of 870 °C; forms include sheet, bar, cold-drawn product and wire through full-hard tempers. Corrosion resistance rates below 304, and the silicon content plus a steep work-hardening curve cut machining productivity to about 35 % of AISI 1212. Where galling is not a concern, 201 or 304 machines and forms more easily. S20161 has a density of 7.69 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F). S20161 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
What is S20161 used for?
- structural framing
- appliance trim
- automotive trim
- kitchen equipment
Advantages
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 55%, better than 97% of stainless steel grades
- High service temperature — 870°C (1,598 °F), better than 83% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 3.6 kg CO₂/kg, better than 83% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Low electrical conductivity — 2 % IACS, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
S20161 properties
Typical room-temperature values for S20161-Annealed; bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S20161 has a density of 7.69 g/cm³ (0.278 lb/in³), lighter than 94% of stainless steel grades. It melts at 1,370°C (2,498 °F).
Mechanical14
S20161 has a yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 55% and the elastic modulus is 196 GPa (28.4 Msi).
Thermal6
S20161 is rated for continuous service to 870°C (1,598 °F). It conducts heat at 14 W/m·K (8.09 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 80% of stainless steel grades. Thermal expansion is 16.5 µm/m·K (9.17 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
S20161 conducts electricity at 2 % IACS, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (55/100), worse than 71% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of S20161 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%.
Manufacturability7
S20161's machinability is poor (33/100, worse than 57% of stainless steel grades); weldability good (55/100); formability good (60/100).
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. S20161 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with S20161
Is S20161 easy to machine?
Machines like a tough austenitic but worse — the 3–4 % Si and high work-hardening rate demand rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~35 % of 1212 productivity.
Can S20161 be welded?
Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods without preheat or post-weld heat treatment; use matching or over-alloyed (e.g. Ni-base or 309-type) filler, keep interpass temperature low, and note that high-Si weld pools are more hot-crack sensitive.
Can S20161 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability in the annealed temper but a steep hardening curve — allow higher press tonnage, generous bend radii, and interstage annealing at 1040–1120 °C with rapid cooling for severe draws; hot work 1150–1200 °C, finishing above 950 °C.
S20161 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 |
| Mn | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Sihigh Si gives galling resistance | 3 – 4 | 3.5 |
| Cr | 15 – 18 | 16.5 |
| Ni | 4 – 6 | 5 |
| Naustenite stabiliser / strengthener | 0.08 – 0.2 | 0.13 |
| Cu | ≤ 1 | 0.3 |
| P | ≤ 0.04 | |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | |
| Fe | balance |
What surface finishes work on S20161?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining; electropolishes and mechanically polishes well, and the grade's key selling point is that it resists galling/scuffing in self-mated sliding contact without plating.
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
How much does S20161 cost?
S20161 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.
S20161 — frequently asked
What is S20161 used for?
S20161 is typically used for structural framing, appliance trim, automotive trim and kitchen equipment. In short: galling-resistant austenitic; 870 °C service rating; low-nickel cost stability.
What is the yield strength of S20161?
S20161 has a typical yield strength of 400 MPa (58 ksi) and a tensile strength of 730 MPa (106 ksi) — stronger than 57% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 8 listed tempers.
Is S20161 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (33/100, worse than 57% of stainless steel grades). Machines like a tough austenitic but worse — the 3–4 % Si and high work-hardening rate demand rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy positive feed, no dwelling, and flood coolant; expect ~35 % of 1212 productivity.
Can S20161 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated good (55/100). Weldable by GTAW/GMAW/resistance methods without preheat or post-weld heat treatment; use matching or over-alloyed (e.g. Ni-base or 309-type) filler, keep interpass temperature low, and note that high-Si weld pools are more hot-crack sensitive.
What surface finishes work on S20161?
Passivate per ASTM A967 (nitric or citric) after machining; electropolishes and mechanically polishes well, and the grade's key selling point is that it resists galling/scuffing in self-mated sliding contact without plating.
Can S20161 be formed, bent or molded?
Good cold formability in the annealed temper but a steep hardening curve — allow higher press tonnage, generous bend radii, and interstage annealing at 1040–1120 °C with rapid cooling for severe draws; hot work 1150–1200 °C, finishing above 950 °C.
What is the maximum service temperature of S20161?
S20161 is rated for continuous use to about 870°C (1,598 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between S20161 Annealed and S20161-FH?
Annealed is the default condition — default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar and wire; maximum ductility, formability and corrosion resistance. FH: maximum as-rolled strength for flat parts, shims and spring strip with essentially no forming. Yield strength is 400 MPa in Annealed versus 1,050 MPa in FH.
How much does S20161 cost?
S20161 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.
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)
- ASTM A276/A484 — Stainless Steel Bars and Shapes / General Requirements — ASTM International (2019)
- Gall-Tough (UNS S20161) stainless technical datasheet — Carpenter Technology (2020)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 1 — Properties and Selection: Irons, Steels, and High-Performance Alloys — ASM International (1990)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 13B — Corrosion: Materials — ASM International (2005)
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.