What is 201 stainless steel sheet (2B finish)?

What is 201 stainless steel sheet ?

201 stainless steel plate is a flat-rolled product made of UNS S20100 (EN 1.4372 / JIS SUS 201) material; it is a 200-series austenitic stainless steel that serves as a cost-effective, low-nickel alternative to 304 stainless steel. It is suitable for indoor use and mildly corrosive environments; however, in chloride-rich or outdoor settings, its corrosion resistance is significantly lower than that of 304 (making it prone to pitting and crevice corrosion). Due to rapid work hardening, intermediate annealing is typically required when fabricating complex shapes.

 

What is a 2B finish?

It is a standard cold-rolled finish produced through cold rolling, annealing, pickling, and skin-passing. It features a uniform, silvery-white, smooth, and semi-matte appearance with slight reflectivity, and a surface roughness (Ra) of approximately 0.1–0.5 μm (varying with thickness). It is the most economical and versatile mill finish for cold-rolled stainless steel and serves as the substrate for further processing into finishes such as No. 4 (brushed), BA (bright annealed), and 8K (mirror).

 

201 stainless steel sheet Specifications & Standards

Feature	Details
Grade	201 (High Manganese / Low Nickel)
UNS Designation	S20100
EN Designation	1.4372
Surface Finish	2B (Cold Rolled, Annealed, Pickled, Skin-Passed)
Material Standard	ASTM A240 / A480
Edge Type	Slit Edge or Mill Edge

 

Chemical Composition (%)

Grade 201 uses Manganese and Nitrogen as substitutes for more expensive Nickel.

Element	Content (%)
Chromium (Cr)	16.0 – 18.0
Manganese (Mn)	5.5 – 7.5
Nickel (Ni)	3.5 – 5.5
Nitrogen (N)	0.25 max
Carbon (C)	0.15 max
Silicon (Si)	1.00 max
Phosphorus (P)	0.060 max
Sulfur (S)	0.030 max

 

Mechanical Properties (At Room Temp)

Grade 201 is known for having higher yield and tensile strength than Grade 304.

Property	Value (Metric)	Value (Imperial)
Tensile Strength (UTS)	≥ 515 MPa	≥ 75 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% Offset)	≥ 260 MPa	≥ 38 ksi
Elongation (in 50mm)	≥ 40%	≥ 40%
Hardness (Rockwell B)	95 HRB max	95 HRB max
Hardness (Brinell)	201 HB max	201 HB max

 

Physical Properties

Property	Value
Density	7.86 g/cm³ (0.284 lb/in³)
Modulus of Elasticity	197 GPa (28.6 x 10⁶ psi)
Thermal Conductivity	16.2 W/m·K
Electrical Resistivity	685 nΩ·m
Magnetic Permeability	Non-Magnetic (Annealed condition)

 

Available Sizes (Cold Rolled Sheet)

2B finish is typically only available for cold-rolled thicknesses.

Dimension	Range (Metric)	Range (Imperial)
Thickness	0.3 mm – 3.0 mm	0.012" – 0.118"
Standard Widths	1000, 1219, 1250, 1500 mm	36", 48", 50", 60"
Standard Lengths	2000, 2438, 3000, 6000 mm	80", 96", 120", 240"

 

How to Calculate the Weight of 201 Stainless Steel Sheet?

For estimating shipment weight, buyers can use:

Weight (kg) = Length (m) × Width (m) × Thickness (mm) × Density (g/cm³)

The density of Type 201 is approximately 7.86 g/cm³ according to ATI's published data.

Example

For a sheet:

1.5 mm × 1500 mm × 3000 mm

Approximate weight:

1.5 × 1.5 × 3.0 × 7.86 ≈ 53.1 kg/sheet

Actual commercial weight can vary according to dimensional tolerances and the supplier's weighing method.

 

201 Stainless Steel Sheet Applications:

Consumer Goods: Cookware, food service equipment, sinks, and bowls.

Automotive: Trim, molding, and specialized exhaust components.

Architecture: Door frames, handrails, and decorative trim (indoor use recommended).

Transportation: Trailer frames, railcar structural components.

 

201 Stainless Steel Sheet Suppliers and Manufacturers

GNEE is a leading global supplier and manufacturer of high-quality 201 (UNS J40100 / EN 1.4372) stainless steel sheets and coils. As a cost-effective austenitic alternative to 304 stainless steel, we supply cold-rolled and hot-rolled sheets compliant with ASTM A240 and EN 10088-2 standards; thicknesses range from 0.3 mm to 12.0 mm, widths up to 1500 mm, and lengths are customizable. Surface finishes include 2B, BA, No.4, HL, and 8K mirror, all with PE protective film; every product undergoes 100% PMI (Positive Material Identification) testing and precision dimensional inspection (with tolerances controlled within 0.03 mm). We provide an EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate for every shipment and use ISPM 15-compliant fumigated wooden crates to ensure zero damage during sea transport.

For an RFQ, the minimum information should be:

Grade + Standard + Thickness + Width + Length + 2B Finish + Quantity + MTC + Inspection + Packaging.

This approach makes supplier quotations easier to compare and significantly reduces the risk of purchasing the wrong material.

Contact now

 

 

FAQ

Is 201 stainless steel the same as 304?

No. Both are austenitic stainless steels, but their chemical compositions are different. 201 has substantially less nickel and more manganese than 304, resulting in different corrosion resistance, work-hardening behavior and cost.

 

Is 201 stainless steel good quality?

Yes, when used in the correct environment. 201 is not a "low-quality 304"; it is a different alloy designed for applications where its cost, strength and fabrication characteristics are appropriate.

 

Can 201 stainless steel be used for kitchen equipment?

Yes, particularly for indoor and cost-sensitive equipment where the corrosion environment has been evaluated. For demanding food-processing, chemical or chloride environments, 304/304L or 316/316L may be more appropriate.

 

Is 201 stainless steel magnetic?

Annealed 201 is generally regarded as austenitic and has relatively low magnetism, but cold working can increase magnetic response. Therefore, a simple magnet test should not be used as the sole method of identifying 201 stainless steel.

 

Is 201 stainless steel rust-proof?

No stainless steel should be described as completely rust-proof. 201 provides useful corrosion resistance, but its resistance is generally lower than 304 and significantly lower than grades designed for severe chloride environments.

 

What is the difference between 2B and BA finish?

2B has a smooth, moderately reflective mill finish, while BA (Bright Annealed) generally has a brighter and more reflective appearance. The choice depends on the required appearance and application.

 

Can 201 stainless steel sheet be welded?

Yes, 201 can be welded, but welding procedures should be selected according to thickness, joint design and service requirements. For demanding welded applications, buyers should discuss the required grade and post-weld corrosion performance with the supplier.