GRADE 201

201 alloy is a high performance austenitic stainless steel formulated to have a lower and more stable cost due to the substitution of manganese for a portion of the nickel used in 300 series stainless steels such as Type 304. In addition, the chemical composition of alloy 201 provides higher annealed mechanical properties than type 304 which can result in an additional benefit of weight reduction. The 201 tensile strength is about 10% higher than Type 304 which may allow for thinner gauges and therefore less material. However, due to the lower Chromium and Nickel content, Type 201 stainless may not have the same corrosion resistance as Type 304.

GRADE 304/304L

The most widely used of the austenitic grades, 304 offers good corrosion resistance to many chemicals and industrial atmospheres. Generally considered non-magnetic, it can become slightly magnetic when cold-worked. 304 is non-hardenable by heat treatment. In 304L, the carbon content has been lowered to .03% max. for corrosion resistance at heat affected zones from welding.

GRADE 316/316L

316 is an austenitic chrome nickel steel with superior corrosion resistance to that of other chrome nickel steels. Widely used when exposed to chemical corrodents, as well as marine atmospheres. 316 is generally considered non-magnetic, but can become magnetic when cold worked. In 316L, the carbon content has been lowered to .03% max. for corrosion resistance at heat affected zones from welding.