Stainless Steel 2101 · finish state
Stainless Steel 2101 2B
Properties of the 2B condition, compared with the other 2101 tempers.
Thin sheet/coil (≤6 mm) with smooth bright finish for fabricated vessels, panels and formed parts.
What is 2101 2B?
2101 2B is 2101 supplied in the 2B condition — thin sheet/coil (≤6 mm) with smooth bright finish for fabricated vessels, panels and formed parts. 2101 2B has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 34% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi). 2101 2B 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; 2B is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Low embodied carbon — 3.5 kg CO₂/kg, better than 88% of stainless steel grades
- High strength — 560 MPa (81.2 ksi), better than 85% of stainless steel grades
- High electrical conductivity — 2.7 % IACS, better than 79% of stainless steel grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 300°C (572 °F), worse than 90% of stainless steel grades
2101 2B properties
Typical room-temperature values for 2101 2B — 8 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 2B 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 2B has a yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Elongation at break is 34% and the elastic modulus is 200 GPa (29 Msi).
Thermal6
2101 2B 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 2B conducts electricity at 2.7 % IACS, better than 79% of stainless steel grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is good (66/100), better than 58% of stainless steel grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of 2101 2B 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 2B's machinability is fair (35/100, better than 51% of stainless steel grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability good (55/100).
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 2B
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 2B — frequently asked
What is 2101 2B used for?
2101 2B is typically used for bridges, storage tanks and architectural cladding. In short: lean duplex stainless plate.
What is the yield strength of 2101 2B?
2101 2B has a typical yield strength of 560 MPa (81.2 ksi) and a tensile strength of 780 MPa (113 ksi) — stronger than 85% of stainless steel grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 6 listed tempers.
Is 2101 2B 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 2B 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 2B?
Pickle and passivate after welding to restore the passive film; takes a good brushed or mirror polish, no anodizing (ferrous).
Can 2101 2B 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 2B?
2101 2B 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 2B?
Yes — 2101 2B 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.