AISI/ASTM 201 stainless steel plate remains the commercially attractive low-nickel alternative to 300-series alloys in 2025: its sheet/plate base price is typically lower than 304 but highly sensitive to raw-material swings (nickel, scrap, chrome), finishing and minimum-order quantities. For practical purchasing today, expect China export plate offers roughly $1,000–$1,900 per tonne (≈$1.0–$1.9/kg) for common thicknesses and 2B/NO.4 finishes, with North American and European delivered prices commonly carrying premiums driven by labor, logistics, and surcharges.
What is 201 stainless
We treat Type 201 as an austenitic chromium-manganese-nickel stainless steel that was developed to reduce dependence on higher-cost nickel. It keeps corrosion resistance, good formability and weldability for many interior and light-duty exterior applications, while substituting manganese and nitrogen to partially replace nickel. For design and procurement we classify it as a cost-sensitive, non-marine austenitic grade.
Chemical makeup and mechanical traits
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Nominal composition (typical ranges used by mills): chromium ~16–18%, nickel ~3.5–5.5%, manganese ~5.5–7.5%, carbon ≤0.15% (see SAE/AISI tables). 201’s higher Mn and lower Ni differentiate it from 304.
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Mechanical behaviour: good cold-work hardening, reasonable yield/tensile when annealed and much higher strength after cold rolling. Not precipitation-hardenable.
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Corrosion resistance: satisfactory in mildly corrosive atmospheres and indoor use; inferior to 304/316 in chloride environments (e.g., coastal or salt-spray) — choose carefully for outdoor or food-processing use.
Typical applications
We see 201 plate used in:
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Decorative cladding, architectural panels, indoor fixtures
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Kitchen appliances (budget tier), furniture, and elevator interiors
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Automotive trim and non-structural components
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Light manufacturing where high corrosion resistance is not mandatory
Where corrosion or hygiene is critical (marine, medical or aggressive chemical exposure) specifiers typically move to 304/316.
Standards and specifications to call out when you buy
Always specify the mill standard and test documentation. Common standards that apply to stainless plate include:
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ASTM A240/A240M — flat-rolled chromium and chromium-nickel stainless steel plate, sheet and strip for pressure vessels and general applications. Request the ASTM designation explicitly on PO and mill test reports.
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Mill certifications (ISO 9001), EN/BS/JIS equivalents where relevant, and any client-required NDT or PMI (positive material identification) checks.
Request material certificates (MTC / test report) showing chemical analysis and mechanical test results, and include finish (2B, BA, NO.4) in the spec.
2025 global price snapshot
Notes: Prices below are indicative market ranges for standard cold-rolled / hot-rolled 201 plate in common commercial thicknesses (0.5–6 mm). Final delivered price depends on thickness, finish, quantity, freight, duties and surcharges. See sources noted after the table.
| Region | Typical unit | Indicative 2025 price range (per tonne) | Quick comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| China (export offers) | USD / tonne | $1,000 – $1,900 / t (≈ $1.0–$1.9/kg) | Many mill/merchant offers, MOQs apply; competitive export pricing. |
| India (domestic/exports) | USD / tonne | $1,100 – $2,000 / t (approx.) | Local demand, GST and freight influence final landed price. |
| Southeast Asia (local mills) | USD / tonne | $1,100 – $2,100 / t (approx.) | Regional mills and traders; less consistent liquidity than China. |
| Europe (delivered) | USD / tonne | $1,800 – $3,000 / t (approx.) | Higher labor, environmental and logistics costs; EU surcharges often applied. |
| North America (delivered) | USD / tonne | $2,000 – $3,500 / t (approx.) | Domestic mill premiums, tariffs and surcharges can push prices significantly higher. |
How to read this: the left tail of the ranges reflects mill direct/coiled supply in large quantity; the right tail reflects small orders, specialty finishes, or delivered/inspected product. The values above are consistent with trading platform offers and merchant lists in 2025.
What moves 201 plate price
We track three families of price drivers:
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Raw materials: Nickel and chromium prices, and the availability/price of scrap, dominate the alloy surcharge component. Nickel volatility historically drives shifts between 200-series and 300-series demand; lower nickel helps 201’s competitiveness. Recent nickel market trends materially influence stainless surcharges.
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Mill capacity & regional demand: Domestic demand (auto, construction), mill restarts or outages, and inventory levels affect lead times and premiums.
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Logistics, freight and trade policy: Ocean freight spikes, container shortages, and tariffs/duties can add hundreds of dollars per tonne to landed cost in importing markets.
Surcharges on top of base metal cost — mills publish “stainless surcharges” tied to nickel/chrome indices — make up a large portion of short-term price moves.
How thickness, finish and processing change price
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Thickness / gauge: thinner gauge coils and sheets are cheaper per kg to produce but may incur more processing cost (slitting, leveling). Very thick plates are more costly per unit area because of slower production, tighter tolerances and lower mill throughput.
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Finish: mirror or No. 8 and decorative finishes command premiums vs standard 2B or BA.
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Cold-rolled vs hot-rolled: cold-rolled 2B/NO.4 is typically more expensive than hot-rolled because of extra rolling, annealing, pickling.
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Cutting & fabrication: laser cutting, bevelling, and passivation add discrete costs and increase finished piece price.
201 vs 304 — practical cost and performance tradeoffs
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Price: 201 is consistently less expensive than 304 on a raw-material basis because of lower nickel content; the magnitude depends on nickel LME levels and local surcharges. For buyers where corrosion resistance is not critical, 201 gives clear acquisition cost savings.
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Performance: 304 has superior chloride resistance, better high-temperature properties and greater long-term passivity. If product life or warranty is tied to corrosion resistance, the higher up-front cost of 304 often pays back in lower maintenance.
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Weldability & finishing: 304 typically takes a superior surface finish and is preferred when aesthetics and long life in humid/coastal environments are required.
Sourcing & supplier checklist
When we buy 201 plate, we insist on the following on the PO and supplier confirmation:
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Exact grade (AISI 201 / UNS S20100) and standard (ASTM A240 or requested national equivalent).
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Mill test report (chemical + mechanical) — full traceability to heat number.
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Finish and thickness tolerances (e.g., 2B, 0.5–6 mm).
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MOQ and lead time spelled out; freight/incoterms defined (EXW, FOB, CIF, DDP).
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Third-party inspection (SGS, BV) for critical orders.
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Packaging for sea/air freight and protective measures to avoid staining.
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Payment and warranty terms.
Negotiation levers and commercial terms to use
We typically use these levers:
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Volume bundling (consolidate runs for lower per-ton price).
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Longer lead or flexible shipment windows for better mill scheduling and price.
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Multi-mill RFQ to create competition.
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Indexed surcharges (tie alloy surcharge to a published index, with a cap/floor).
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Trial orders with defined acceptance tests before larger purchase.
Lifecycle and total cost (beyond $/kg)
A low initial $/kg is not always cheaper long term. We weigh:
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Maintenance & repaint/repair cycles if corrosion occurs.
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Replacement and downtime costs in industrial settings.
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Surface finishing or coatings required to reach needed service life (can erode the initial savings of 201).
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Recycling and scrap value at end of life — stainless is highly recyclable and scrap values can offset part of lifecycle cost.
Market outlook for the rest of 2025
Near-term outlook depends on raw-material trends and regional demand:
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If nickel remains subdued, 201 will keep a sizeable price advantage and mills may shift more production to 200-series.
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If global stainless demand recovers (construction/auto), plate premiums can firm even if raw materials remain stable.
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Trade policy (tariffs or antidumping duties) and freight rates are wildcards that can move landed prices swiftly. Industry forecasters note the same structural drivers: raw-material stabilization and shipping pressures will shape regional price differentials.
FAQs
Q1 — Is 201 acceptable for outdoor architectural cladding?
A: Only for sheltered or low-pollution environments. For exposed façades near coasts, choose 304/316 or apply protective coatings.
Q2 — How much cheaper is 201 vs 304 usually?
A: The price gap varies with nickel and surcharge swings; in 2025 the acquisition saving often ranges from a few hundred to over a thousand USD per tonne depending on market, finish and shipping. Check current surcharge tables and request firm mill offers.
Q3 — Can I order small sample plates?
A: Yes—many merchants and mills sell sample cut pieces or small bundles, but per-kg/sample pricing will be higher than large lot pricing.
Q4 — What tests should I request on delivery?
A: Mill test report (MTR), visual surface inspection, dimensional check, and optional PMI or chemical analysis on representative samples for added confidence.
Q5 — How to control cost risk?
A: Use indexed surcharges, longer delivery windows, and multi-supplier RFQs. For large projects, consider forward contracts or locked pricing with defined escalation clauses.
