Is 201 stainless steel the same as 1.4372?
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201 stainless steel and 1.4372 stainless steel have significant differences in composition, standard system and performance, and cannot be regarded as the same material. The following is an analysis from multiple dimensions:

201 Stainless Steel Vs.1.4372 Standard
1. 201 Stainless Steel Standard System
ASTM: A240/A240M Type 201 (UNS S20100).
China: GB/T 20878-2007 (1Cr17Mn6Ni5N).
Japan: JIS G4303 SUS201.
Europe: EN 10088-2 1.4372
2. Standard system of 1.4372
Europe: EN 10088-2 X2CrNiN18-10 (1.4372).
USA: ASTM A240/A240M 304LN (UNS S30453).
201 stainless steel vs.1.4372 Chemical Composition Comparison (Weight %)
| Element | 201 Stainless Steel (ASTM A240 Type 201, UNS S20100) |
1.4372 (X12CrMnNiN17-7-5) (EN 10088-2:2022) |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon (C) | ≤ 0.15 | ≤ 0.15 |
| Silicon (Si) | ≤ 1.0 | ≤ 1.0 |
| Manganese (Mn) | 5.5 – 7.5 | 5.5 – 7.5 |
| Chromium (Cr) | 16.0 – 18.0 | 16.0 – 18.0 |
| Nickel (Ni) | 3.5 – 5.5 | 3.5 – 5.5 |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.05 – 0.25 | 0.05 – 0.25 |
| Phosphorus (P) | ≤ 0.06 | ≤ 0.045 |
| Sulfur (S) | ≤ 0.03 | ≤ 0.015 |
201 stainless steel vs.1.4372 Physical Properties
| Property | 201 Stainless Steel (Typical Values) |
1.4372 (X12CrMnNiN17-7-5) (Typical Values) |
Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 7.93 | 7.93 | g/cm³ |
| Melting Point | 1398–1454 | 1398–1454 | °C |
| Thermal Conductivity | 16 | 16 | W/(m·K) |
| Linear Thermal Expansion (20–100°C / 68–212°F) |
17.3 × 10⁻⁶ | 17.3 × 10⁻⁶ | 1/°C |
| Elastic Modulus | 200 | 200 | GPa |
| Electrical Resistivity | 0.73 | 0.73 | μΩ·m |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 460 | 460 | J/(kg·K) |
201 Stainless Steel Vs.1.4372 Corrosion Resistance
201 Stainless Steel Corrosion Resistance
Weaknesses: Low nickel content, easy to rust in humid, chloride ion environment (such as seaside, kitchen).
Pitting potential: about - 32mV (3.5% NaCl solution), weak pitting resistance.
1.4372 (X2CrNiN18-10) Corrosion Resistance
Advantages: High chromium, nickel, nitrogen content, corrosion resistance close to 304 stainless steel, suitable for harsh environments such as food processing and medical equipment.
Pitting potential: significantly higher than 201, with stronger resistance to intergranular corrosion.
201 Stainless Steel Vs.1.4372 Processing and Weldability
201 Processing and Weldability
Advantages: low cost, easy to process and form, suitable for decorative pipes, kitchenware, etc.
Disadvantages: the current needs to be controlled during welding, otherwise thermal cracks are prone to occur.
1.4372 Processing and Weldability
Advantages: excellent welding performance, TIG, MIG and other processes can be used, suitable for complex structural parts.
Disadvantages: high work hardening rate, cold forming difficulty is slightly higher than 201.
201 Stainless Steel Vs.1.4372 Application
201 Stainless Steel
Low-cost decoration: building curtain walls, door and window frames, elevator interiors.
Daily necessities: tableware, sinks, home appliance housings.
Temporary structures: temporary buildings, simple equipment brackets (insufficient corrosion resistance, easy to rust after long-term use).
Typical uses of 1.4372 (X2CrNiN18-10)
Food and medical: food processing equipment, pharmaceutical machinery, surgical instruments (must meet hygiene standards).
Chemical and marine: reactors, pipelines, offshore platform components (resistant to chloride ion corrosion).
High-end buildings: seaside hotels, museum facades (both aesthetics and corrosion resistance).







