Stainless Steel 201 · supply condition
Stainless Steel 201 Full Hard
Properties of the Full Hard condition, compared with the other 201 tempers.
Maximum strength/stiffness thin strip for springs, shims and blades; essentially not formable.
What is 201 Full Hard?
201 Full Hard is 201 supplied in the Full Hard condition — maximum strength/stiffness thin strip for springs, shims and blades; essentially not formable. 201 Full Hard has a yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi). 201 Full Hard 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). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; Full Hard is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High strength — 1,100 MPa (160 ksi), better than 98% of stainless steel grades
- Low embodied carbon — 4 kg CO₂/kg, better than 75% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 9%, worse than 99% of stainless steel grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 91% of stainless steel grades
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
- Difficult to weld — 35/100, worse than 86% of stainless steel grades
- Needs corrosion protection — 52/100, worse than 77% of stainless steel grades
201 Full Hard properties
Typical room-temperature values for 201 Full Hard — 11 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every 201 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the stainless steel grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical3
201 Full Hard 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
201 Full Hard has a yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 197 GPa (28.6 Msi).
Thermal6
201 Full Hard is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °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 16 µm/m·K (8.89 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
201 Full Hard conducts electricity at 2.5 % IACS, better than 75% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is fair (52/100), worse than 77% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 201 Full Hard takes about 42 MJ of energy and emits 4 kg of CO₂ — less than 95% of stainless steel grades. Typical recycled content is 55%.
Manufacturability7
201 Full Hard's machinability is fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (15/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other 201 tempers and conditions
201 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the 201 overview.
- AnnealedDefaultDefault stocked condition for forming, drawing, welding and decorative sheet/tube.380 MPa yield · 190 HB
- Full HardMaximum strength/stiffness thin strip for springs, shims and blades; essentially not formable.1,100 MPa yield · 43 HRC
- 3/4 HardFor flat spring-like strip and high-strength stampings with only slight forming.1,000 MPa yield · 40 HRC
- 1/2 HardGood balance of high strength and limited bendability for brackets, clips and structural strip.830 MPa yield · 36 HRC
- 1/4 HardUse when moderate strength is needed but some bending/forming must remain possible.570 MPa yield · 28 HRC
- Cold RolledChoose for stiffer, flatter decorative sheet and tube that still bends and roll-forms.480 MPa yield · 96 HRB
Working with 201 Full Hard
Is 201 easy to machine?
Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy flood coolant, constant feed and low-to-moderate speed; expect ~40 % of 1212 rates.
Can 201 be welded?
Weld with 308L/209 filler by GTAW/GMAW or resistance spot; keep heat input low, avoid crater cracks, and provide good fume extraction because of the high manganese.
Can 201 be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-draw and roll-forming behaviour thanks to a high n-value, but plan for high press loads and large springback; interstage annealing helps on severe draws.
What surface finishes work on 201?
Takes No.4, hairline, mirror (8K), electropolish and PVD colour finishes well; passivate after fabrication and keep away from chloride cleaners — it stains far more easily than 304.
201 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 |
|---|---|---|
| CS20100; 201LN variants ≤0.03 | ≤ 0.15 | 0.08 |
| MnEN 1.4372: 6.0–8.0 | 5.5 – 7.5 | 6.5 |
| Si | ≤ 1 | 0.5 |
| P | ≤ 0.06 | 0.03 |
| S | ≤ 0.03 | 0.01 |
| Cr | 16 – 18 | 17 |
| Nicommodity 201 often runs 1.0-4.0 Ni (low-nickel 201) | 3.5 – 5.5 | 4.5 |
| NEN 1.4372: 0.05–0.25 | ≤ 0.25 | 0.15 |
| Cunot in ASTM limits; common residual/intentional in Chinese 201 | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Fe | balance | — |
201 Full Hard — frequently asked
What is 201 Full Hard used for?
201 Full Hard is typically used for cookware, automotive trim and architectural panels. In short: lower-cost austenitic stainless.
What is the yield strength of 201 Full Hard?
201 Full Hard has a typical yield strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,350 MPa (196 ksi) — stronger than 98% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.
Is 201 Full Hard easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated fair (42/100, better than 79% of stainless steel grades). Gummy and strongly work-hardening — use rigid setups, sharp positive-rake carbide, heavy flood coolant, constant feed and low-to-moderate speed; expect ~40 % of 1212 rates.
Can 201 Full Hard be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). Weld with 308L/209 filler by GTAW/GMAW or resistance spot; keep heat input low, avoid crater cracks, and provide good fume extraction because of the high manganese.
What surface finishes work on 201 Full Hard?
Takes No.4, hairline, mirror (8K), electropolish and PVD colour finishes well; passivate after fabrication and keep away from chloride cleaners — it stains far more easily than 304.
Can 201 Full Hard be formed, bent or molded?
Excellent deep-draw and roll-forming behaviour thanks to a high n-value, but plan for high press loads and large springback; interstage annealing helps on severe draws.
What is the maximum service temperature of 201 Full Hard?
201 Full Hard 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in 201 Full Hard?
Yes — 201 Full Hard 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 A666 — Annealed or Cold-Worked Austenitic Stainless Steel Sheet, Strip, Plate and Flat Bar — ASTM International (2015)
- ASTM A240/A240M — ASTM International (2023)
- EN 10088-1/-2 (X12CrMnNiN17-7-5, 1.4372) — CEN (2014)
- GB/T 3280 (1Cr17Mn6Ni5N / 201) — SAC (2015)
- ASM Specialty Handbook: Stainless Steels — ASM International (1994)
- ASM Handbook Vol.1 & Vol.13B — ASM International (2005)
- Cr-Mn austenitic stainless (Outokumpu / Yieh United / Baosteel Desheng 201 datasheets) — various producers (2023)
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.