201L Stainless Steel Sheet – Premium Performance Without the 304 Price Tag
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Discover 201L stainless steel sheet—mirror polish, 655 MPa strength, 25 % cost saving vs 304. Buy online from trusted suppliers with global delivery.
Premium 201L stainless steel sheet with mirror-like 2B finish
What is 201L Stainless Steel Sheet?
201L stainless steel sheet is a low-carbon, manganese-substituted austenitic alloy (UNS S20103) that delivers 304-like strength and corrosion resistance at a fraction of the cost. The "L" denotes ≤0.03 % carbon, minimizing carbide precipitation during welding and allowing thinner sections without intergranular corrosion.
Chemical Composition (wt %, max unless noted)
| Element | 201L |
|---|---|
| C | 0.03 |
| Si | 0.75 |
| Mn | 5.5–7.5 |
| P | 0.06 |
| S | 0.03 |
| Cr | 16.0–18.0 |
| Ni | 3.5–5.5 |
| N | 0.25 |
Mechanical & Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 7.9 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | ≥655 MPa |
| Yield Strength (0.2 %) | ≥310 MPa |
| Elongation | ≥40 % |
| Hardness HRB | ≤95 |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 200 GPa |
| Thermal Conductivity @100 °C | 16 W/m·K |
Key Features & Technical Specifications
- Thickness Range: 0.3 mm – 50 mm (cold-rolled 0.3–3 mm; hot-rolled 3–50 mm)
- Standard Widths: 1000, 1219, 1250, 1500 mm (slit-to-width available)
- Lengths: 2000, 2438, 3000, 6000 mm or custom cut
- Surface Finishes: 2B, BA, No.4, HL, No.8 (8K mirror), embossed, anti-fingerprint
- Standards Compliance: ASTM A240, EN 10088-2, JIS G4305, GB/T 3280
Available Sizes & Finishes
| Thickness (mm) | Width (mm) | Length (mm) | Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.3–0.8 | 1000–1250 | 2000–2438 | 2B, BA |
| 0.9–3.0 | 1000–1500 | 2000–3000 | 2B, No.4, HL |
| 3.0–6.0 | 1250–1500 | 2500–6000 | No.1 (HR) |
| 6.0–50 | 1500–2000 | 3000–6000 | No.1, embossed |
Multiple surface finishes available: 2B, BA, Hairline, and Mirror 8K
Advantages of Choosing 201L Stainless Steel Sheet
- Cost Savings – Typically 20–25 % lower 201L stainless steel sheet price than 304 with comparable strength.
- Excellent Formability – Deep-draw into complex sink bowls or elevator door skins without edge cracking.
- Superior Weldability – Low carbon prevents carbide precipitation; passes AWS D1.6 without post-weld anneal.
- Bright Aesthetics – BA and 8K finishes achieve luxury mirror reflectivity for architectural panels.
- High Work-Hardening Rate – Allows thinner gauges, reducing weight and shipping cost.
- Consistent Supply – Stable Mn/Ni ratio ensures 201L stainless steel sheet suppliers can offer predictable pricing.
Wide Applications (with real-life examples)
- Kitchen Appliances: Deep-drawn BA sheets for refrigerator doors, dishwasher panels and cookware that resist tomato acids and detergent attack.
- Automotive Trim: Mirror-polished 8K strips for window frames, exhaust heat-shields and trunk-lid appliqués that withstand 650 °C bursts.
- Architectural Cladding: Embossed and HL sheets for hotel lobbies, elevator cabins and façade soffits—lightweight yet visually premium.
- Food Processing: 2B sheets for mixing tanks, conveyor belts and worktops that meet FDA food-contact requirements.
- Medical Instruments: Brushed No.4 sheets for instrument trays and sterilisation cabinets where hygiene and cost matter.
- Construction: Hot-rolled plates for structural stiffeners, roofing flashings and decorative wall panels in non-marine environments.
Elegant 201L stainless steel sheet applied as kitchen backsplash and countertops
Manufacturing Process & Quality Control
- Electric-Arc Furnace Melting – Scrap and alloying elements melted under argon atmosphere.
- Continuous Casting – 200 mm thick slabs cast to minimise inclusions.
- Hot Rolling – Reheat to 1,200 °C and roll to 3–12 mm plate or 2–3 mm transfer bar.
- Cold Rolling – Transfer bar reduced to 0.5–3 mm at 20 °C for ±0.02 mm tolerance.
- Bright Annealing – 1,050 °C in hydrogen for mirror BA finish and restored corrosion resistance.
- Finishing – Skin-pass for 2B, polish lines for No.4/HL, or super-polish for 8K mirror.
- QC Testing – Spectrometer, ultrasonic thickness, and ASTM tensile tests ensure every sheet meets spec.
Maintenance & Care Guide
- Routine Cleaning: Warm water + mild detergent, soft cloth, rinse and dry.
- Fingerprint Removal: 1 % vinegar solution, wipe along grain, buff with microfiber.
- Avoid: Chloride bleach, HCl, steel wool or abrasive powders.
- Storage: Elevate on wooden pallets, cover with breathable PE film, keep away from moisture and carbon steel dust.
- Passivation: Optional citric acid bath after fabrication to remove free iron and enhance corrosion resistance.
Why Buy 201L Stainless Steel Sheets from Us?
✅ Mill-Direct Pricing – Eliminate trader margins; lock in 201L stainless steel sheet price for 30 days.
✅ Massive Inventory – 5,000 t coils & sheets 0.3–50 mm × up to 2,000 mm wide.
✅ Same-Day Cutting – Laser, water-jet, shear within ±0.2 mm; custom blanks or circles.
✅ Global Shipping – FOB, CIF, DDP to 120+ ports; average lead time 7 days.
✅ Certificates Included – EN 10204 3.1 MTC, SGS, BV, ISO 9001.
✅ Technical Support – Dedicated metallurgist for welding, forming and finishing advice.
Precision-cut 201L sheets packed and ready for worldwide delivery
FAQ Section
Q1: What is the difference between 201 and 201L stainless steel?
A: The “L” denotes lower carbon (≤0.03 %) reducing carbide precipitation and improving weld corrosion resistance.
Q2: Is 201L stainless steel food-safe?
A: Yes, it meets FDA and GB 4806.9 for non-acidic food contact; widely used for kitchen counters and cookware.
Q3: Where can I find reputable 201L stainless steel sheet suppliers?
A: Choose ISO-9001 certified mills with EN 10204 3.1 MTC, SGS inspection, and transparent 201L stainless steel sheet price—like us.
Q4: Can I buy 201L stainless steel sheet online in custom sizes?
A: Absolutely—enter thickness, width, length and finish; instant quote and 48-hour cutting dispatch.
Q5: Does the sheet come with protective film?
A: Yes, PE laser film, PVC blue film, or nano anti-fingerprint coating on both sides.
Q6: What is the maximum sheet length you can supply?
A: 12,000 mm cold-rolled, 14,000 mm hot-rolled; longer coils can be slit and seam-welded.
Conclusion
201L stainless steel sheet delivers the bright aesthetics, deep-drawability and corrosion resistance you expect from 304—without the premium price tag. With mill-direct supply, custom cutting, mirror finishes and global logistics, we make it easy to upgrade your next project while keeping budget intact.