AISI 201 Stainless Steel Plate | 201 China Mill Agent
What is AISI 201 Stainless Steel Plate?
As a professional China Mill Agent and stainless steel plate supplier, SHH STEEL is pleased to present AISI 201 Stainless Steel Plate.
AISI 201 (UNS S20100) is a chromium-nickel-manganese austenitic stainless steel developed as a lower-nickel alternative to the classic 304 grade. By partially replacing nickel with manganese and nitrogen, Type 201 achieves a good balance of corrosion resistance, high strength, excellent formability and significantly lower material cost. It is non-magnetic in the annealed condition and can be strengthened by cold working.
AISI 201 is widely used in applications where the full corrosion resistance of 304 is not required, but good strength, formability and economy are important. Typical applications include kitchen equipment, food processing, architectural components, transportation, and general fabrication.
SHH STEEL, as a China Mill Agent, sources AISI 201 directly from major Chinese stainless steel mills. This allows us to offer genuine mill-direct pricing, consistent quality, complete heat traceability and reliable delivery. We supply AISI 201 in plate, sheet and coil form with a full range of thicknesses and surface finishes.
Material Specification
| Specification Element | Requirement | SHH STEEL Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| Grade | AISI 201 / UNS S20100 | Confirmed |
| Related Standards | ASTM A240, ASME SA240, JIS G4305 (SUS201), GB/T 3280 | Available |
| Product Form | Plate, Sheet, Coil | Available |
| Delivery Condition | Solution Annealed | Standard |
| Thickness Range | 0.4 mm – 50 mm (thicker available on request) | Custom sizes supported |
| Width | Up to 1500–2000 mm | Available |
| Length | Up to 6000 mm or coil / cut-to-length | Available |
| Surface Finish | 2B, BA, No.1, No.4, HL, Polished | Available |
| Certification | EN 10204 3.1 / Mill Test Certificate | Available |
Chemical Composition
Typical Chemical Composition of AISI 201 (UNS S20100):
| Element | Content (%) |
|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.15 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.00 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 5.50 – 7.50 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.060 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.030 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.00 – 18.00 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 3.50 – 5.50 |
| Nitrogen (N) | ≤ 0.25 |
| Iron (Fe) | Balance |
The higher manganese and nitrogen contents, combined with reduced nickel, give AISI 201 its characteristic strength and cost advantage while maintaining an austenitic structure.
Mechanical Properties
Annealed Condition (typical)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ≥ 515 MPa (75 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (0.2%) | ≥ 275 MPa (40 ksi) |
| Elongation (in 50 mm) | ≥ 40% |
| Hardness | ≤ 217 HB |
Physical Properties
- Density: approximately 7.80–7.85 g/cm³
- Magnetic: Non-magnetic in the annealed condition (may become slightly magnetic after cold working)
- Melting Range: approximately 1400–1450°C
AISI 201 offers higher yield strength than standard 304 in the annealed condition, which can allow thickness reduction in some applications.
Material Comparison
| Grade | Nickel Content | Strength Level | Cost Level | Primary Advantage | Typical Preference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AISI 201 | 3.5–5.5% | Higher | Lower | Economical + higher strength | Cost-sensitive applications |
| AISI 304 | 8–10.5% | Standard | Medium | Better general corrosion resistance | General purpose |
| AISI 304L | 8–12% | Standard | Medium | Excellent weldability | Heavy welding |
| AISI 301 | 6–8% | High (work hardening) | Medium | High strength after cold working | Structural & transportation |
AISI 201 is frequently chosen as a cost-effective alternative to astm a240 type 304 stainless steel sheet plate and astm a240 type 304l stainless steel sheet plate when the service environment is not highly corrosive. For higher corrosion resistance, astm a240 type 316l stainless steel sheet plate remains the preferred upgrade.
Corrosion Resistance
AISI 201 offers good resistance to atmospheric corrosion, fresh water and many mild chemical environments. Its corrosion performance is generally lower than that of 304, particularly in chloride-containing or more aggressive media. It is suitable for indoor applications, food equipment (non-critical), architectural components and general fabrication where cost is a major consideration.
It is not recommended for prolonged exposure to seawater, strong acids or severe chloride environments.
Weldability
AISI 201 can be welded by common fusion and resistance welding methods. Matching or 308L-type filler metals are often used. Due to its higher carbon and manganese content, care should be taken to control heat input. Post-weld cleaning is recommended to restore corrosion resistance.
Heat Treatment
AISI 201 is supplied in the solution-annealed condition.
Recommended Solution Annealing
- Temperature: 1010 – 1120°C
- Cooling: Rapid cooling (water quench preferred for thicker sections)
Annealing restores ductility after cold working and optimizes corrosion resistance.
Surface Finishes
| Finish | Description | Typical Use / Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| 2B | Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled, skin-passed | AISI 201 2B – most common for general fabrication |
| BA | Bright Annealed | AISI 201 BA – decorative and kitchen applications |
| No.1 | Hot-rolled, annealed and pickled | AISI 201 No.1 – industrial plate |
| No.4 | Brushed finish | AISI 201 No.4 – architectural and visible surfaces |
| HL | Hairline finish | AISI 201 HL – decorative panels |
| Polished | Mirror or custom polish | AISI 201 Polished – high-end applications |
SHH STEEL regularly supplies AISI 201 in 2B and BA finishes, and can provide other finishes according to project requirements.
Tolerances
Dimensional tolerances for AISI 201 Stainless Steel Plate generally conform to ASTM A480 / related standards.
Typical available size range:
- Thickness: 0.4 mm – 50 mm
- Width: up to 1500–2000 mm
- Length: up to 6000 mm or coil / cut-to-length
SHH STEEL provides precise dimensional control for both standard and custom-size AISI 201 plates and sheets.
Equivalent Material Grades
| Grade / Designation | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| AISI 201 | — | — |
| UNS S20100 | — | Unified Numbering System |
| ASTM A240 Type 201 | ASTM A240 | When dual certified |
| SUS201 | JIS G4305 | Japanese equivalent |
| 12Cr17Mn6Ni5N | GB/T 3280 | Chinese equivalent |
Related grades for comparison and internal linking include astm a240 type 304 stainless steel sheet plate, astm a240 type 304l stainless steel sheet plate, astm a240 type 301 stainless steel sheet plate, astm a240 type 316l stainless steel sheet plate, and astm a240 type 430 stainless steel sheet plate.
Applications
AISI 201 is widely used in cost-sensitive applications requiring good strength and formability. Typical applications of AISI 201 include:
| Industry / Sector | Typical Components / Equipment |
|---|---|
| Kitchen & Food Equipment | Sinks, tabletops, kitchenware, food processing equipment |
| Architecture & Decoration | Decorative panels, elevators, interior cladding |
| Transportation | Bus & railway components, trailers |
| Household Appliances | Washing machine and refrigerator parts |
| General Fabrication | Tanks, containers, structural and formed parts |
| Construction | Interior decorative and non-critical structural parts |
For related industry applications, see our petrochemical industry and construction industry solution pages.
Why Choose SHH STEEL
SHH STEEL is a China Mill Agent specializing in stainless steel plate and sheet. We maintain long-term cooperation with major Chinese stainless steel mills and supply AISI 201 with the following advantages:
- Genuine China Mill Agent / Mill Direct pricing
- Consistent quality and complete heat traceability
- Full Mill Test Certificates (EN 10204 3.1)
- Flexible dimensions and surface finishes (including AISI 201 2B and AISI 201 BA)
- Supporting services such as steel cutting services, steel welding services and stainless surface finishing services
- Reliable worldwide shipping service
FAQ
- What is the main difference between AISI 201 and AISI 304?AISI 201 has lower nickel content (replaced partly by manganese and nitrogen), resulting in higher strength and lower cost, but generally lower corrosion resistance than 304. SHH STEEL recommends 201 for cost-sensitive, mildly corrosive applications.
- Is AISI 201 magnetic?Non-magnetic in the annealed condition. It may become slightly magnetic after heavy cold working. SHH STEEL supplies annealed material as standard.
- Can AISI 201 replace 304?In many indoor, decorative and mildly corrosive applications, yes. For outdoor, chloride or food-critical environments, 304 or 316L is usually preferred. SHH STEEL can help evaluate suitability.
- What is the density of AISI 201?Approximately 7.80–7.85 g/cm³.
- Does SHH STEEL supply dual-certified ASTM A240 / AISI 201 material?Yes, dual certification is available upon request.
Conclusion
AISI 201 Stainless Steel Plate is a cost-effective low-nickel austenitic stainless steel that offers higher strength and good formability compared with 304, making it an excellent choice for kitchen equipment, architectural components, transportation and general fabrication.
As a professional China Mill Agent, SHH STEEL provides high-quality AISI 201 Stainless Steel Plate with genuine mill-direct pricing, full certification and complete technical support.
Contact SHH STEEL today for stock availability, surface finish options (including AISI 201 2B and AISI 201 BA), or a competitive quotation.
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