Stainless Steel S20161 Annealed
Temper · default condition
UNS S20161
Default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar and wire; maximum ductility, formability and corrosion resistance.
Values for the Annealed condition
Other S20161 tempers and conditions
S20161 is listed in 8 conditions; see the grade overview at S20161.
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 |
AnnealedDefaultThis page 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 |
What is S20161 Annealed?
S20161 Annealed is S20161 in the Annealed temper — default stocked condition for plate, sheet, bar and wire; maximum ductility, formability and corrosion resistance. S20161 Annealed 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). S20161 Annealed 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).
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 Annealed properties
Typical room-temperature values for S20161 Annealed; 13 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are S20161 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among stainless steel grades.
Physical3
S20161 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed'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. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with S20161 Annealed
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.
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.
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 | — |
S20161 Annealed — frequently asked
What is S20161 Annealed used for?
S20161 Annealed 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 Annealed?
S20161 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed 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 Annealed?
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 Annealed 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 Annealed?
S20161 Annealed 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.