What is 201 stainless steel strip?
Mar 16, 2026
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What is 201 stainless steel strip?
201 stainless steel strip is a cold-rolled, narrow-width austenitic stainless steel product designed as a high-strength, cost-effective alternative to 304 stainless steel strip, compliant with international standards such as ASTM A240/ASTM A666, EN 10088-2, and JIS G4305.
By substituting a portion of expensive nickel with manganese and nitrogen, the material exhibits excellent work-hardening capabilities and reliable, moderate corrosion resistance. It is typically supplied in precision thicknesses ranging from 0.05 mm to 3.0 mm and slit widths from 5 mm to 600 mm, with various surface finishes available including 2B, BA, No. 4/hairline, and 8K mirror and often comes with a PVC/PE protective film.
201 Stainless Steel Strip Specifications
| Parameter | 201 Strip | 201 Sheet |
| Governing standard | ASTM A666 (primary) | ASTM A240 / A480 |
| Width | Typically ≤ 600 mm (up to ~1500 mm wide-slit) | 1000 – 1500 mm standard |
| Thickness | 0.02 – 5.0 mm (ultra-thin foil to 0.01 mm) | 0.3 – 6.0 mm |
| Form | Coil (ID typically 20″ / 508 mm; OD up to ~69″ / 1750 mm) | Flat sheets |
| Hardness options | Annealed, ¼H, ½H, H, FH, SH | Primarily annealed (2B) |
| Slit-to-order | Yes - precision slit to customer width | Cut-to-size from standard width |
Mechanical Properties
| Condition | Tensile (min) | Yield 0.2% (min) | Elongation (min) | Hardness |
| Annealed | 75 ksi / 515 MPa | 38 ksi / 260 MPa | 40 % | ≤ 95 HRBW |
| ½ Hard | 120 ksi / 828 MPa | 93 ksi / 641 MPa | 12 % | ~30 HRC |
| Full Hard | 135 ksi / 931 MPa | 96.5 ksi / 666 MPa | 10 % | ~35 HRC |
| Super Full Hard | 185 ksi / 1275 MPa | 140 ksi / 965 MPa | 8 % | ~45 HRC |
201 Stainless Steel Surface Finishes Available
| Designation | Description |
| 2B | Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled, skin-passed (most common) |
| 2D | Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled (no skin pass) |
| No. 1 | Hot-rolled, annealed, pickled |
| 2H | Cold-rolled, annealed, pickled, hairline |
| No. 4 | Brushed |
| BA | Bright annealed (for foil / ultra-thin) |
Is 201 Stainless Steel Strip magnetic?
Annealed Condition: In its fully annealed (soft) state, it is non-magnetic.
Cold-Rolled Condition: Because 201 is often supplied as a strip (cold-rolled to specific hardnesses like 1/2H, 3/4H, or FH), it becomes slightly to moderately magnetic due to the transformation of some austenite to martensite during the rolling process.
201 stainless steel strip Applications
| Category | Examples |
| Springs & elastic parts | Compression, extension, torsion springs; shims; gaskets |
| Fasteners & clamps | Hose clamps, banding straps, cable ties, brackets |
| Kitchen & food service | Cookware, utensils, sink components, appliance parts |
| Automotive | Trim, exhaust brackets, structural clips |
| Rail / transit | Car siding, roofing, trailer posts |
| Electronics | Contacts, connectors, lead frames |
| General fabrication | Deep-drawn parts, decorative trim, architectural accents |
Can 201 Strip be used for outdoor applications?
It is suitable for indoor use (furniture, appliances) or dry, non-coastal outdoor environments.
It should not be used in marine areas, highly polluted industrial zones, or for chemical storage, as it will likely develop surface tea-staining or rust spots.
What should be considered during welding 201 strip?
201 is weldable using standard methods (TIG, MIG, Spot welding). However:
The high Manganese content can lead to more fumes; proper ventilation is required.
The heat-affected zone (HAZ) may have slightly lower corrosion resistance than the base metal.
Using 308L filler wire is often recommended if welding 201 to itself or 304.
201 stainless steel strip Price Per kg
The price of 201 stainless steel strip typically ranges from $1.00 to $3.00 per kilogram, depending on order volume, thickness, and surface finish. Prices range from $800 to $2,505 per metric ton, with the average price for large-scale or container-load wholesale orders falling between $0.80 and $2.50 per kilogram.
If you are interested, please let me know:
the quantity you plan to purchase (in kilograms or tons), the required strip thickness and width,
and your preferred delivery location or trade terms (FOB/CIF).
This will allow me to provide a more accurate estimate tailored to your specific project.
Delivery Terms
Thickness: 0.02 – 5.0 mm (0.0008″ – 0.197″); ultra-thin foil 0.01 – 0.1 mm
Width: 3.2 – 1500 mm (slit to customer spec)
Coil ID: 508 mm (20″) standard; 1016 mm (40″) for heavier gauges
Coil OD: up to 1750 mm (69″)
We use standard export packaging and secure the stainless steel plates with steel strapping tailored to their dimensions. Based on our shipping experience, a 20-foot container can hold 22 tons of stainless steel, while a 40-foot container can hold 25 tons. For large orders, we utilize bulk carriers to reduce shipping costs. Additionally, we offer customized packaging options to meet specific customer requirements.
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