SS202 Stainless Steel Material Guide

Overview

SS202 (AISI 202 Stainless Steel) is an austenitic stainless steel belonging to the 200 Series Stainless Steel Family. Similar to SS201, SS202 was developed as a cost-effective alternative to SS304 by reducing nickel content and increasing manganese and nitrogen levels.

SS202 offers good corrosion resistance, high strength, excellent toughness, and good formability. Compared with SS201, SS202 generally provides slightly better corrosion resistance and mechanical properties, making it suitable for architectural, industrial, transportation, and household applications.

SS202 is widely used in stainless steel furniture, kitchen equipment, rail transportation, decorative structures, storage tanks, and fabricated metal products.


Material Specification

PropertyValue
Material DesignationAISI 202
Material FamilyAustenitic Stainless Steel
UNS NumberS20200
EN Grade1.4373
Density7.80–7.85 g/cm³
Magnetic PropertyNon-Magnetic (Annealed State)
Standard FormsSheet, Plate, Coil, Pipe, Tube, Bar, Wire

Chemical Composition

ElementContent (%)
Iron (Fe)Balance
Chromium (Cr)17.0–19.0
Nickel (Ni)4.0–6.0
Manganese (Mn)7.5–10.0
Nitrogen (N)≤0.25
Carbon (C)≤0.15
Silicon (Si)≤1.00
Phosphorus (P)≤0.060
Sulfur (S)≤0.030

Mechanical Properties

Annealed Condition

PropertyValue
Tensile Strength≥520 MPa
Yield Strength≥275 MPa
Elongation≥35%
Hardness≤100 HRB
Elastic Modulus193 GPa

Physical Properties

PropertyValue
Density7.80–7.85 g/cm³
Melting Point1400–1450°C
Thermal Conductivity15.5 W/m·K
Electrical Resistivity0.72 μΩ·m
Thermal Expansion Coefficient16.5 × 10⁻⁶/K
Specific Heat Capacity500 J/kg·K

Corrosion Resistance

EnvironmentPerformance
Indoor EnvironmentExcellent
Atmospheric ExposureGood
Industrial EnvironmentGood
Humid EnvironmentGood
Marine EnvironmentPoor
Chloride EnvironmentPoor
Food Contact ApplicationsGood

SS202 provides good corrosion resistance for indoor and general outdoor applications. However, it is not recommended for aggressive chemical environments, coastal installations, or marine exposure.


International Equivalent Grades

StandardEquivalent Grade
ASTM / AISI (USA)202
UNSS20200
EN (Europe)1.4373
DIN (Germany)X12CrMnNiN18-9-5
JIS (Japan)SUS202
GB/T (China)12Cr18Mn9Ni5N
ISOX12CrMnNiN18-9-5

Available Forms

Product TypeAvailability
Stainless Steel SheetYes
Stainless Steel PlateYes
Stainless Steel CoilYes
Stainless Steel PipeYes
Stainless Steel TubeYes
Stainless Steel BarYes
Stainless Steel WireYes
Decorative ProfilesYes

Typical Applications

Architectural Industry

  • Decorative Panels
  • Elevator Interiors
  • Handrails
  • Building Facades
  • Interior Decoration

Transportation Industry

  • Railway Components
  • Train Interior Panels
  • Bus Interior Structures
  • Vehicle Decorative Trim

Furniture Industry

  • Stainless Steel Furniture
  • Office Furniture
  • Storage Racks
  • Display Structures

Kitchen Equipment

  • Kitchen Cabinets
  • Food Storage Containers
  • Catering Equipment
  • Kitchen Accessories

Industrial Manufacturing

  • Fabricated Components
  • Storage Tanks
  • Equipment Covers
  • Structural Supports

Manufacturing Characteristics

Manufacturing ProcessRating
Laser CuttingExcellent
Waterjet CuttingExcellent
CNC MachiningGood
StampingExcellent
Deep DrawingExcellent
BendingExcellent
WeldingGood
TIG WeldingGood
MIG WeldingGood
PolishingExcellent

Advantages

Cost Effective

Lower nickel content reduces raw material cost compared to SS304.

High Strength

Offers higher yield strength than many conventional austenitic stainless steels.

Excellent Formability

Suitable for deep drawing and complex fabrication.

Good Toughness

Maintains good mechanical properties across a wide temperature range.

Attractive Appearance

Excellent polishability and decorative surface quality.

Good Fabrication Performance

Easy to cut, bend, form, and weld.


Limitations

Lower Corrosion Resistance Than SS304

Less resistant to corrosion in harsh environments.

Poor Marine Resistance

Not suitable for seawater exposure.

Surface Rust Risk

Can develop tea staining or surface rust in coastal climates.

Lower Chemical Resistance

Not recommended for aggressive chemical processing applications.


Comparison with Other Stainless Steels

PropertySS202SS201SS304SS316SS430
Corrosion ResistanceGoodGoodExcellentOutstandingModerate
StrengthHighHighMediumMediumMedium
FormabilityExcellentExcellentExcellentExcellentGood
WeldabilityGoodGoodExcellentExcellentFair
CostLowLowMediumHighLow
Marine ResistancePoorPoorGoodExcellentPoor

Comparison with Common Engineering Metals

MaterialDensity (g/cm³)Corrosion ResistanceStrengthCost
SS2027.85GoodHighLow
SS3048.00ExcellentMediumMedium
SS3168.00OutstandingMediumHigh
Aluminum 60612.70GoodMediumMedium
Carbon Steel 10187.85PoorMediumLow
Brass C3608.47GoodMediumHigh

Available Surface Finishes

Mill Finishes

  • No.1 Finish
  • 2B Finish
  • BA (Bright Annealed)
  • Hot Rolled Finish

Decorative Finishes

  • Mirror Polish
  • Hairline Finish
  • Satin Finish
  • Vibration Finish
  • Sandblasted Finish
  • Etched Finish

Color Finishes

  • PVD Gold
  • Rose Gold
  • Black Titanium
  • Bronze
  • Champagne Gold
  • Blue Titanium

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is SS202 stainless steel?

SS202 is an austenitic chromium-manganese-nickel stainless steel developed as a cost-effective alternative to SS304.

What is SS202 used for?

Typical applications include:

  • Architectural Decoration
  • Railway Components
  • Furniture Manufacturing
  • Kitchen Equipment
  • Interior Structures
  • Stainless Steel Fabrication

Is SS202 food grade?

Yes. SS202 can be used in many food-contact applications, although SS304 remains the preferred choice for commercial food processing.

What is the difference between SS202 and SS304?

PropertySS202SS304
Nickel ContentLowerHigher
Corrosion ResistanceGoodExcellent
CostLowerHigher
Outdoor DurabilityModerateBetter

Is SS202 magnetic?

In the annealed condition, SS202 is generally non-magnetic. Cold working may introduce slight magnetic properties.

Can SS202 rust?

Yes. Under chloride-rich, humid, or coastal environments, SS202 can develop surface rust more easily than SS304 or SS316.

Is SS202 suitable for outdoor use?

Yes, in normal atmospheric environments. For coastal regions or marine environments, SS304 or SS316 is recommended.

Can SS202 be welded?

Yes. SS202 offers good weldability using TIG, MIG, and resistance welding methods.

Is SS202 stronger than SS304?

Yes. SS202 generally offers higher yield strength, although SS304 provides superior corrosion resistance.

Does GCNOV provide custom manufacturing services for SS202?

Yes. GCNOV provides:

  • Laser Cutting
  • CNC Machining
  • Sheet Metal Fabrication
  • Tube Fabrication
  • Welding & Assembly
  • Mirror Polishing
  • PVD Coating
  • Prototype Development
  • Low-Volume Production
  • Mass Production