201L Stainless Steel Pipe – Cost-Smart, Low-Carbon, High-Formability Austenitic Solution
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201L stainless steel pipe offers 304-like formability at 25% lower cost. Perfect for furniture, handrails, light fluids. Instant quote & global delivery.
Premium 201L stainless steel pipe with mirror-polished 600 grit surface
Introduction
Searching for a stainless pipe that deep-draws like 304 but costs like 201? 201L stainless steel pipe (UNS S20103) is your answer. This extra-low-carbon, manganese-nitrogen strengthened austenitic grade delivers 304-like formability and urban corrosion resistance while slashing material cost by 25–35 %. From furniture handrails to light-duty water lines, 201L stainless steel pipe keeps budgets healthy and lines running. Discover why leading 201L stainless steel pipe suppliers worldwide are switching to this lean-alloy powerhouse for decorative, structural and light-fluid applications.
What is 201L Stainless Steel Pipe? (UNS S20103)
201L stainless steel pipe is the extra-low-carbon version of grade 201 (≤0.03 % C), minimizing carbide precipitation during welding and severe cold forming. High manganese (7.5–10 %) and nitrogen (≤0.25 %) maintain a fully austenitic structure, giving 201L stainless steel properties comparable to 304 for urban corrosion, deep drawing and mirror polishing—yet at a fraction of the nickel cost. Compared with 201, 201L offers better weld corrosion resistance; against 304/304L, it provides similar strength and formability while costing 25–35 % less.
Chemical Composition (% by mass, balance Fe)
| Element | 201L | 304 |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤0.03 | ≤0.08 |
| Si | ≤0.75 | ≤0.75 |
| Mn | 7.5–10.0 | ≤2.0 |
| P | ≤0.06 | ≤0.045 |
| S | ≤0.03 | ≤0.03 |
| Cr | 16.0–18.0 | 18.0–20.0 |
| Ni | 1.0–4.0 | 8.0–10.5 |
| N | ≤0.25 | ≤0.10 |
Product Types & Technical Specifications
- Types: Welded pipe (ERW, HF), seamless pipe (cold-drawn, pilger), square/rectangular tube
- Size Range: OD 6 mm – 762 mm (1/8" – 30"); WT 0.5 mm – 30 mm (Sch 5S – Sch 80S)
- Standards: ASTM A312, A358, A778, A790, EN 10217-7, JIS G3459, GB/T 12771
- Surface: Pickled, polished 180/320/400/600 grit, brushed HL, embossed
- Lengths: 5.8 m, 6 m random or custom cut (≤12 m)
Mechanical Properties (ASTM A312)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.9 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | ≥655 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2 %) | ≥310 MPa |
| Elongation in 50 mm | ≥40 % |
| Hardness HRB | ≤95 |
| n-value (deep-draw) | ≥0.18 |
| r-value (plastic strain) | ≥0.9 |
Common Sizes & Wall Thicknesses
| OD (mm) | WT (mm) | Finish | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12.7 | 1.0 | Polished 600G | ASTM A554 |
| 25.4 | 1.2 | 2B | EN 10217-7 |
| 50.8 | 2.0 | BA | JIS G3459 |
| 76.2 | 2.5 | HL | GB/T 12771 |
| 101.6 | 3.0 | Pickled | ASTM A312 |
Round, square, and rectangular 201L stainless steel pipes in polished and brushed finishes
Key Advantages of 201L Stainless Steel Pipe
- 25–40 % Cheaper than 304/304L Pipe – Stable Mn/Ni ratio shields you from LME nickel spikes; lower 201L stainless steel pipe price.
- Excellent Cold Forming & Bending – Higher n-value reduces spring-back in furniture bends and furniture radii.
- Good Weldability – TIG, MIG, laser, HF welding pass AWS D1.6 without post-weld anneal; compatible with ER308L or ER201L filler.
- Attractive Appearance After Polishing – BA and 600G mirror finishes achieve luxury reflectivity for decorative tubes.
- Suitable for Indoor & Mild Outdoor Environments – Handles urban atmospheres, mild acids and cleaning agents; passes 500-hour neutral salt-spray.
Wide Applications
- Furniture & Handrails: Mirror-polished 201L stainless steel pipe for furniture – chair frames, table legs, balcony railings with luxury 600G reflectivity.
- Architectural Decoration & Balustrades: Square and rectangular tubes for façade frames, column covers, shopping-mall balustrades.
- Automotive Exhaust Systems (Light Duty): Down-pipes, tail-pipe resonators; 310 MPa yield allows thinner walls for weight savings.
- Water Supply & Low-Pressure Fluid Transfer: Urban cold-water lines, greenhouse irrigation, fire-sprinkler headers where chloride <50 ppm.
- Food Industry Conveyor Structures: Sanitary 2B pipes for display racks, tabletops, non-acidic food conveyors meeting FDA requirements.
- Greenhouse & Fencing Posts: Pickled round pipes for vineyard posts, deer fencing, solar-panel racking—lightweight yet durable.
- Mechanical & Structural Components: Load-bearing frames in exhibition booths, signage trusses, portable stages.
Elegant 201L stainless steel pipes installed as commercial building handrails
Manufacturing Process & Quality Control
- Electric-Arc Furnace + AOD Refining – Exact chemistry, low inclusion content.
- Continuous Casting – 200 mm billets for uniform grain structure.
- Hot Piercing & Pilgering – Seamless pipes cold-drawn to tight tolerances (±0.05 mm OD).
- HF Welding (ERW) – Strip coil edges heated and forged; 100 % online UT weld inspection.
- Cold Drawing & Sizing – Achieve ±0.05 mm OD, ±8 % WT tolerance; 600G mirror polish optional.
- Solution Annealing – 1,050 °C in protective atmosphere for restored corrosion resistance.
- QC Testing – Spectrometer, tensile, flattening, flare, hydrostatic pressure, intergranular corrosion per ASTM A763 ensure every 201L stainless steel pipe meets specification.
Packaging & Delivery Standards
- End Caps: Plastic or rubber caps on both ends to protect bevels.
- Outer Wrap: 0.1 mm PE film + 0.2 mm VCI paper + knitted sleeve.
- Bundling: Hexagonal bundle with 4–8 steel straps, 3×3 wooden sleepers.
- Marking: Heat number, size, weight, standard, production date on outer bundle tag.
- Shipping: 20 ft or 40 ft container, average 22 tons payload; same-day loading on stock items.
Why Choose Our 201L Stainless Steel Pipe?
✅ Direct from Top Mills – TISCO, JISCO, Indian & European producers; genuine 201L stainless steel pipe suppliers.
✅ Full Size Range in Stock – OD 6–762 mm, WT 0.5–30 mm; 3,000 t inventory ready for immediate dispatch.
✅ Custom Length Cutting & Deburring – Cut to 0.3–12 m, chamfered ends, laser marking.
✅ Third-Party Inspection & Certificates – EN 10204 3.1 MTC, SGS, BV, ISO 9001 supplied free.
✅ Fast Global Shipping & Export Packaging – 5-day FOB to 120+ ports; DDP available.
Bundled and plastic-capped 201L stainless steel pipes ready for container loading
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the difference between 201 and 201L stainless steel pipe?
A: 201L has ≤0.03 % carbon vs 0.15 % max in 201, reducing carbide precipitation and improving weld corrosion resistance.
Q2: Is 201L pipe food-grade or potable water safe?
A: Yes, it meets FDA and GB 4806.9 for non-acidic food and potable water where chloride <50 ppm.
Q3: Can 201L stainless steel pipe be used outdoors?
A: Suitable in urban or low-chloride environments; for coastal salt-spray, 316 is recommended.
Q4: Is 201L pipe magnetic?
A: Essentially non-magnetic in annealed condition; permeability <1.005 even after cold bending.
Q5: Why is 201L pipe much cheaper than 304?
A: Reduced nickel raw-material cost and more stable alloy pricing shield buyers from LME nickel volatility.
Q6: Can 201L pipe be welded with 308 filler?
A: Yes, ER308L is compatible; for color match use ER201L or ER309L.
Q7: Do you supply 201L stainless steel pipe in custom lengths?
A: Absolutely – 0.3–12 m with ±1 mm tolerance, deburred and plastic-capped ends.
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