202 Stainless Steel Tube – High-Strength, Cost-Smart Alternative to 304
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202 stainless steel tube delivers 350 MPa yield, 40% cost saving vs 304. Mirror polish, deep-draw, global shipping. Instant quote.
Premium 202 stainless steel tube with brilliant 600-grit mirror finish
Introduction
Searching for a stainless tube that outperforms 201 in strength yet undercuts 304 in price? 202 stainless steel tube (UNS S20200) is your answer. This nitrogen-strengthened, manganese-rich austenitic grade delivers 30–40 % higher yield strength than 304 while slashing material cost by 30–40 %. From mirror-polished handrails to deep-drawn automotive exhausts, 202 stainless steel tube keeps high-speed presses running and architectural budgets healthy. Discover why leading 202 stainless steel tube suppliers worldwide are switching to this lean-alloy powerhouse for decorative, structural and light-duty fluid applications.
What is 202 Stainless Steel Tube? (UNS S20200)
202 stainless steel tube is a nitrogen-strengthened, manganese-rich austenitic grade that maintains a fully austenitic structure for excellent formability and non-magnetic properties. The balanced chromium (17–19 %) and manganese (7.5–10 %) content provides urban corrosion resistance, while nitrogen (≤0.25 %) boosts yield strength above 350 MPa—far exceeding 304-cost ratios. Compared with 201, 202 offers higher chromium and nickel, giving better pitting resistance; against 304/304L, it provides similar strength and formability while costing 30–40 % less.
Chemical Composition (% by mass, balance Fe)
| Element | 202 | 304 |
|---|---|---|
| C | ≤0.15 | ≤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 | 17.0–19.0 | 18.0–20.0 |
| Ni | 4.0–6.0 | 8.0–10.5 |
| N | ≤0.25 | ≤0.10 |
Product Types & Technical Specifications
- Types: Welded tube (ERW, HF), seamless (cold-drawn, pilger), round, square, rectangular, oval
- Size Range: OD 6 mm – 508 mm (1/8" – 20"); WT 0.5 mm – 20 mm (Sch 5S – Sch 80S)
- Standards: ASTM A554 (decorative), A249/A269 (welded), A312 (seamless), EN 10296-2, JIS G3459
- Surface Finishes: 180/320/400/600 grit polished, brushed HL, mill 2B, pickled, embossed
- Lengths: 5.8 m, 6 m random or custom cut (≤12 m)
Mechanical Properties (ASTM A554 / A312)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.9 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | ≥650 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2 %) | ≥350 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 10296-2 |
| 50.8 | 2.0 | BA | JIS G3459 |
| 76.2 | 2.5 | HL | ASTM A554 |
| 101.6 | 3.0 | Pickled | ASTM A312 |
Round, square, and rectangular 202 stainless steel tubes in polished and brushed finishes
Key Advantages of 202 Stainless Steel Tube
- 30–40 % Cheaper and More Price-Stable than 304 Tube – Stable Mn/Ni ratio shields you from LME nickel spikes; lower 202 stainless steel tube price.
- Higher Strength than 201 Grade → Thinner walls & lighter weight possible, reducing freight cost.
- Excellent Cold Bending and Flaring Performance – High n-value reduces spring-back in furniture radii and automotive bends.
- Outstanding Polished Appearance (Mirror Finish) – 600G mirror finish achieves luxury reflectivity for decorative tubes.
- Good Corrosion Resistance in Indoor and Mild Outdoor Environments – Passes 500-hour neutral salt-spray; suitable for urban and indoor applications.
Wide Applications
- Handrails, Balustrades, and Staircases: Mirror-polished 202 stainless steel tube for handrail – round, square, oval tubes for luxury balconies and shopping malls.
- Furniture and Interior Decoration: Square and rectangular tubes for table legs, chair frames, decorative columns.
- Automotive & Motorcycle Exhaust Systems: Down-pipes, tail-pipe resonators; 350 MPa yield allows down-gauging for weight savings.
- Architectural Decoration and Signage Supports: BA and 8K mirror tubes for façade soffits, signage trusses, column covers.
- Water Supply and Low-Pressure Fluid Lines: Urban cold-water lines, greenhouse irrigation, fire-sprinkler headers where chloride <50 ppm.
- Greenhouse and Fencing Structures: Pickled round tubes for vineyard posts, deer fencing, solar-panel racking.
- Display Racks and Shop Fittings: Brushed HL tubes for exhibition booths, retail displays, sanitary unions.
Mirror-polished 202 stainless steel tubes installed as high-end commercial handrails
Manufacturing Process & Quality Control
- Electric-Arc Furnace + AOD Refining – Exact chemistry, ultra-low inclusion content.
- Continuous Casting & Hot Rolling – 200 mm billets for uniform grain structure.
- HF Welding (ERW) – Strip edges heated and forged; 100 % online UT weld inspection.
- Cold Drawing & Sizing – Achieve ±0.05 mm OD, ±8 % WT; 600G mirror polish optional.
- Solution Annealing – 1,050 °C in protective atmosphere for restored corrosion resistance.
- QC Testing – Spectrometer, tensile, flattening, hydrostatic pressure, intergranular corrosion per ASTM A554 ensure every 202 stainless steel tube meets specification.
Packaging & Delivery Standards
- Individual Protection: Plastic caps on both ends, PE sleeve on polished surfaces.
- 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 202 Stainless Steel Tube?
✅ Factory-Direct Pricing & Massive Stock – Eliminate trader margins; lock 202 stainless steel tube price for 30 days.
✅ Custom Length Cutting & End Finishing – ±1 mm tolerance, deburred ends, laser marking.
✅ Full EN 10204 3.1 Certificates & Third-Party Inspection – SGS, BV, TÜV available on request.
✅ Same-Day Shipment & Export-Grade Packaging – 5-day FOB to 120+ ports; DDP available.
✅ Free Samples Available – 150 mm length or A4 flat samples couriered within 48 hours.
FAQ Section (7–8 Detailed Questions)
Q1: What is the difference between 202 and 304 stainless steel tube?
A: 202 uses manganese and nitrogen to replace most nickel, giving 30–40 % higher yield strength and 30–40 % lower cost, with similar urban corrosion resistance.
Q2: Is 202 stainless steel tube food safe?
A: Yes, it meets FDA and GB 4806.9 for non-acidic food contact; widely used for display racks and conveyor frames.
Q3: Can 202 tube be used outdoors?
A: Suitable in urban or low-chloride environments; for coastal salt-spray, 316L is recommended.
Q4: Is 202 stainless steel magnetic?
A: Essentially non-magnetic in annealed condition; permeability <1.005 even after cold forming.
Q5: Why is 202 tube much cheaper than 304?
A: Reduced nickel raw-material cost and more stable alloy pricing shield buyers from LME nickel volatility.
Q6: Is 202 stronger than 201 stainless steel?
A: Yes, 202 offers ~15 % higher yield strength and better corrosion resistance due to higher chromium and nitrogen content.
Q7: Can 202 tube achieve true mirror finish?
A: Absolutely – BA and 8K mirror finishes achieve >80 % reflectivity for luxury handrails and cladding.
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