201
Typical reasons to choose 201
- Household appliances
- Kitchen utensils
- Sinks
- Doors and window components
- Railroad cars
- High-strength formed parts in mild environments
Stainless steel grade comparison
201 vs 301 Stainless Steel
Compare 201 and 301 stainless steel by chemistry, yield strength, tensile strength, work hardening, corrosion resistance, forming behavior, magnetism, product forms and procurement priorities.
Quick answer:
choose 201 when reduced nickel content, high annealed strength
and strong work hardening provide a useful economic or structural
advantage in mild service. Choose 301 when high mechanical loading,
spring behavior, precision strip, temper rolling and very high
cold-worked strength are central to the design.
The alloying difference behind the selection decision
201
EN 1.4372 · UNS S20100
- Structure Austenitic
- Typical Cr 16.1%
- Typical Ni 3.6%
- Typical Mn 6.6%
301
EN 1.4310 · UNS S30100
- Structure Austenitic
- Typical Cr 17.0%
- Typical Ni 7.0%
- Key feature High work hardening
Typical chemistry basis: Outokumpu Core 201/4372 and Core 301/4310. Both are austenitic stainless steels, but 201 belongs to the low-nickel Cr-Mn family while 301 is a conventional Cr-Ni high-work-hardening grade.
M03 · Decision summary
201 or 301 stainless steel: which one should you specify?
Both grades are metastable austenitic stainless steels with strong work-hardening behavior. 201 achieves high strength with a low-nickel Cr-Mn-N alloy system, while 301 is a Cr-Ni grade commonly selected for springs, precision strip and components subjected to high mechanical loading.
| Decision factor | 201 stainless steel | 301 stainless steel |
|---|---|---|
| Annealed yield strength |
Higher 0.2% proof strength in the compared EN
cold-rolled condition.
350 MPa |
Lower initial proof strength, but responds strongly to cold working. |
| Cold-worked strength | Very high work-hardening response and high strength after deformation. |
Well established for temper rolling and extremely
high-strength spring and strip applications.
Spring / temper focus |
| Nickel content |
Approximately 3.6% typical nickel, with manganese
replacing part of the nickel.
Lower nickel |
Approximately 7% typical nickel in the referenced Core 301 chemistry. |
| General corrosion resistance | Suitable for many mild-service applications. | Similar PRE class and conventional Cr-Ni chemistry; actual environment should determine the choice. |
| Elongation |
45% in the cited cold-rolled EN condition.
Higher annealed elongation |
40% in the cited cold-rolled EN condition. |
| Precision strip / springs | Available in strip programs, but not as strongly identified with traditional spring applications. |
Commonly selected for springs, press plates,
conveyor chains and precision strip.
Preferred |
| Material cost exposure | Lower nickel content can reduce sensitivity to nickel alloy surcharges. | Higher nickel content generally increases nickel-related alloy cost exposure. |
| Cold-work magnetism | Cold deformation can produce martensite and a measurable magnetic response. | Also readily forms deformation-induced martensite during cold working. |
Selection rule: use 201 where the lower-nickel Cr-Mn alloy system and high annealed strength are valuable. Use 301 where spring performance, temper-rolled strip and a well-established high cold-worked-strength supply route are the main design drivers.
M04 · Technical data
201 vs 301 stainless steel properties
Both materials gain substantial strength through cold working. Compare them only under the same product form and condition, because temper rolling can change the mechanical properties far more than the annealed-grade comparison alone suggests.
Typical chemical composition
Typical manufacturer composition by mass. Use the governing material standard and MTC for purchase acceptance.
| Element / indicator | 201 / S20100 | 301 / S30100 | Selection significance | Source / condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon, C | 0.05% | 0.10% | Typical values differ significantly; exact chemistry limits depend on the governing standard. | Outokumpu typical chemistry |
| Chromium, Cr | 16.1% | 17.0% | Both sit in a similar general corrosion class, while 301 contains somewhat more chromium. | Outokumpu typical chemistry |
| Nickel, Ni | 3.6% | 7.0% | 201 substantially reduces nickel content by using the Cr-Mn-N alloy system. | Outokumpu typical chemistry |
| Manganese, Mn | Approx. 6.6% | Standard Cr-Ni level | High manganese is one of the defining features of Type 201. | Outokumpu typical chemistry |
| Nitrogen, N | 0.08% | Not intentionally elevated | Nitrogen contributes to 201's high initial mechanical strength. | Outokumpu typical chemistry |
| PRE | Approx. 17 | Approx. 17 | Composition-based pitting indicators are similar, but PRE alone does not establish real-world equivalence. | Outokumpu Core range |
Mechanical properties at 20°C
EN 10088-2 cold-rolled coil / sheet comparison in the annealed reference condition.
| Property | 201 / 1.4372 | 301 / 1.4310 | Procurement interpretation | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0.2% proof strength | 350 MPa | 250 MPa | 201 starts with substantially higher proof strength in the cited cold-rolled condition. | EN 10088-2 cold-rolled coil/sheet |
| 1.0% proof strength | 380 MPa | 280 MPa | 201 again has the higher specified proof-strength value. | EN 10088-2 cold-rolled coil/sheet |
| Tensile strength | 680–880 MPa | 600–950 MPa | 301 has a wider range and can reach very high tensile strength even before considering special tempers. | EN 10088-2 cold-rolled coil/sheet |
| Elongation | 45% | 40% | Both remain highly ductile in the cited condition, with 201 showing the higher minimum elongation value. | EN 10088-2 |
Typical physical properties
Reference values from the Outokumpu Core range.
| Property | 201 | 301 | Why it matters | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.8 kg/dm³ | 7.9 kg/dm³ | 201 is slightly lower in density. | Typical physical property |
| Elastic modulus | 200 GPa | 200 GPa | Elastic stiffness is essentially the same. | 20°C |
| Thermal expansion | Verify for required condition | 16.0 ×10⁻⁶/K | Do not assume identical thermal-expansion data when the project requires a calculated value. | 20–100°C reference |
| Thermal conductivity | 15 W/m·K | 15 W/m·K | The cited room-temperature values are the same. | 20°C |
| Specific heat | Verify for required condition | 500 J/kg·K | Use grade-specific data where thermal calculations are design-critical. | 20°C reference |
| Electrical resistivity | 0.70 Ω·mm²/m | 0.73 Ω·mm²/m | The difference is relatively small. | 20°C |
| Magnetizable | Normally no | Normally no | Both can become noticeably magnetic after strong cold deformation because of martensite formation. | Annealed reference condition |
Temper condition matters:
301 is frequently purchased specifically for temper-rolled,
high-strength applications. Comparing annealed 201 and annealed
301 does not describe the full strength range available from
cold-worked 301 strip.
M05 · Product form matrix
Product forms and supply conditions for 201 and 301
Both grades are strongly associated with flat products. 301 is especially important in precision strip and temper-rolled high-strength applications, while 201 is widely used for economical formed sheet and coil components.
Availability note:
the matrix describes common commercial routes rather than
current inventory. Temper, tensile strength, edge condition,
thickness and finish should be defined in the RFQ.
| Product form / condition | 201 | 301 | Procurement note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cold-rolled coil & sheet | Common | Common | Major product form for both grades. |
| Hot-rolled coil & sheet | Available | Available | Confirm mill program and dimensional range. |
| Precision strip | Available | Common | 301 is especially established in spring and precision-strip supply. |
| Annealed condition | Common | Common | Define required mechanical properties and forming route. |
| Temper rolled / high strength | Available | Major application | 301 has a particularly well-established route for spring and high-strength temper-rolled strip. |
| Heavy plate | Verify source | Verify source | Neither grade is primarily a heavy-plate selection. |
| Pipe & tube | Application-specific | Application-specific | Confirm actual grade and product specification. |
| 2B / polished flat product | Available | Available | Specify visual, roughness and protective-film requirements. |
M06 · Grade selector
Use the design requirements to choose 201 or 301
Check the conditions that matter for your component. The result is a preliminary selection direction before the temper, thickness, forming process, corrosion environment and governing specification are reviewed.
Preliminary result
Start with 201
For a high-strength formed component in a mild environment, 201 is a useful starting point when reduced nickel content and high annealed proof strength are important.
Send Conditions to an Engineer
STEP 01
Define strength condition
Annealed, quarter-hard, half-hard, full-hard or custom tensile range.
STEP 02
Define component function
Spring return, energy absorption, structural loading or simple forming.
STEP 03
Check corrosion exposure
Moisture, salts, atmosphere, cleaning agents and process chemicals.
STEP 04
Define the purchase condition
Thickness, tensile range, hardness, edge, finish, flatness and certificate.
M08 · Applications & limitations
Where 201 works, where 301 is the better fit, and where neither grade is enough
The two grades overlap in high-strength forming applications, but their commercial emphasis differs. 201 is a low-nickel high-strength sheet alloy; 301 is strongly established in spring, precision-strip and mechanically loaded components.
301
Typical reasons to choose 301
- Springs and spring clips
- Press plates
- Conveyor chains
- Mixer blades
- Precision strip
- Components subjected to high mechanical loading
!
Conditions requiring further review
- Marine or direct seawater exposure
- Strong chloride contamination
- Aggressive chemical process service
- Highly corrosion-sensitive hygienic equipment
- Very severe deep drawing with delayed-cracking risk
- Applications requiring a specific code-approved grade
Forming, temper and mechanical behavior
For 201 and 301, the final cold-worked condition can be more important than the annealed grade name alone.
| Requirement | 201 | 301 | Selection effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annealed strength | Higher initial proof strength. | Lower initial proof strength but very strong response to temper rolling. | Specify final required strength rather than comparing only annealed properties. |
| Work hardening | Very high work-hardening coefficient. | High work-hardening capacity and extensive commercial temper experience. | Both require forming-load and springback control. |
| Spring applications | Possible where mechanical and supply requirements match. | A standard stainless choice for many spring applications. | 301 normally provides the more established spring-material route. |
| Severe deep drawing | High work hardening must be accounted for. | Metastable 301 can develop large martensite contents and delayed-cracking risk after severe drawing. | Forming trials and more stable alloys may be required for extreme multi-stage drawing. |
| Cold-work magnetism | Magnetic response can increase significantly after forming. | Magnetic response can increase strongly after cold work. | A magnet test cannot reliably distinguish the grades. |
| Nickel-cost exposure | Lower because of the Cr-Mn low-nickel chemistry. | Higher because of greater nickel content. | Compare current quotation, temper and yield loss rather than raw alloy cost alone. |
Important:
when purchasing 301 for spring or structural applications,
“301 stainless steel” alone is often not enough information.
State the required temper, tensile-strength or hardness range,
thickness tolerance, edge condition and grain-direction requirements.
Material image comparison
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M10 · Standards & equivalence
201 and 301 grade designations
201 and 301 are both austenitic stainless steels but are not equivalent grades. When high strength is required, the purchase condition or temper should be specified in addition to the basic alloy designation.
| System | 201 | 301 | Procurement note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM / AISI type | 201 | 301 | Common North American grade names. |
| UNS | S20100 | S30100 | Use UNS where exact alloy identity is required. |
| EN material number | 1.4372 | 1.4310 | European grades used in this comparison. |
| Alloy family | Low-nickel Cr-Mn-N austenitic | Cr-Ni austenitic | Different alloy strategies produce different cost and work-hardening behavior. |
| Microstructure | Austenitic | Austenitic | Both can transform partly to martensite during cold work. |
| Related high-strength variant | 201LN / S20153 | 301LN / S30153 | Do not substitute N-alloyed variants without checking strength, chemistry and product-standard requirements. |
ASTM A240/A240M
Common flat-product specification route for
austenitic stainless steels.
EN 10088-2
Technical delivery conditions for corrosion-resisting
stainless steel flat products.
Temper / strength condition
For cold-worked strip, specify the required tensile,
proof-strength or hardness range.
Material certificate
Verify heat chemistry, grade identity,
mechanical results and supplied condition.
For spring and precision-strip procurement, grade designation alone may be insufficient. Thickness tolerance, flatness, edge condition, surface finish, tensile range, hardness and coil requirements can all affect final performance.
M11 · Direct answers
201 vs 301 stainless steel FAQ
Direct answers to the common purchasing and engineering questions that separate Type 201 from Type 301.
What is the main difference between 201 and 301 stainless steel?
Both are high-work-hardening austenitic stainless steels. 201 uses a low-nickel Cr-Mn-N alloy system and has higher annealed proof strength. 301 uses more nickel and is particularly established for springs, precision strip and temper-rolled high-strength components.
Which is stronger, 201 or 301 stainless steel?
In the cited annealed cold-rolled EN condition, 201 has the higher 0.2% proof strength at about 350 MPa versus 250 MPa for 301. However, 301 is widely supplied in cold-worked tempers that can reach very high strength, so final condition must be compared.
Which grade work-hardens faster?
Both have strong work-hardening behavior. Published Outokumpu guidance specifically describes 201 as having properties approaching 301 but with a higher work-hardening coefficient. Actual forming response also depends on temperature, deformation path and supplied condition.
Which grade is better for springs?
301 is generally the more established choice for stainless spring applications because of its strong cold-working response and broad temper-rolled precision-strip supply route. The required tensile or hardness range should be specified.
Does 201 contain less nickel than 301?
Yes. Typical Outokumpu chemistry lists about 3.6% nickel for 201 and about 7% for 301. 201 uses increased manganese and nitrogen to replace part of the nickel.
Which grade has better corrosion resistance?
Both sit in a similar basic corrosion-resistance class, with published PRE values around 17. Real service performance also depends on surface condition, temperature, chlorides, chemistry and design, so neither should be chosen from PRE alone.
Are 201 and 301 stainless steel magnetic?
Both are austenitic and normally have low magnetic response in the annealed condition. Because both are relatively metastable, cold working can form martensite and make the finished component noticeably magnetic.
Can 201 replace 301 stainless steel?
Only after reviewing final strength, temper, forming process, spring requirements, corrosion environment and product availability. 201 has similar high-work-hardening behavior but should not be treated as an automatic equivalent to 301.
What should be specified when purchasing 301 spring strip?
In addition to grade, define thickness, width, temper or tensile-strength range, hardness where applicable, edge condition, flatness, surface finish, coil dimensions, grain direction and material-certificate requirements.
M13 · Sources & technical review
Technical basis for this 201 vs 301 comparison
Mechanical values are tied to material condition and product form. Typical chemistry and physical values are kept separate from formal purchase requirements, especially because both grades may be supplied in cold-worked strength conditions.
Primary technical references
- Outokumpu Core Range Datasheet Core 201/4372 and Core 301/4310 chemistry, mechanical properties, physical data, product forms and application guidance.
- Outokumpu Core 201/4372 Product Information Low-nickel Cr-Mn alloy description, high work-hardening behavior and typical applications.
- Outokumpu Core 301/4310 Product Information High-work-hardening Cr-Ni stainless grade information, including spring, press plate, chain and mixer-blade applications.
- EN 10088-2 Mechanical-property basis for the cold-rolled 201 and 301 comparison.
- ASTM A240/A240M Flat-product specification reference for austenitic stainless steel grades.
- Outokumpu Forming Guidance Reference for work hardening, deformation-induced martensite and delayed-cracking considerations.
Page accountability
Author
Stainless Steel Market Technical Editorial Team
Comparison structured around grade selection, high-strength strip procurement and published technical data.
Technical review
Stainless Steel Market Materials Review
Review scope includes chemistry, annealed mechanical properties, work hardening, temper supply, forming, corrosion and product-form availability.
Reviewed
23 September 2026
Technical comparison prepared using published manufacturer and standards-reference information.
Update log
2026-09-23 — Initial T09 201 vs 301 comparison created with technical tables, grade selector, application matrix, FAQ and procurement CTA routing.
M14 · Ask an engineer
Still deciding between 201 and 301?
Send the required strength, temper, forming method, service environment and purchasing requirements. The material can then be reviewed by final component performance rather than grade name alone.
- 201, 301 or alternative grade under consideration
- Annealed, temper rolled or required tensile / hardness range
- Sheet, coil, strip or other product form
- Thickness, width, length and dimensional tolerance
- Spring, structural, forming or energy-absorption requirement
- Indoor, outdoor, wet or chemical service environment
- Stamping, deep drawing, bending, welding or machining process
- Edge condition, flatness and surface-finish requirements
- Applicable ASTM, EN or customer specification
- Quantity, destination, delivery date, MTC and inspection requirements
Send your material requirement
For faster technical review, include the final tensile or hardness requirement, component function, forming process, dimensions, finish, standard and quantity.