201 Stainless steel type introduction

2024-12-07

1. Chemical composition comparison

J1
The main chemical components include chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), manganese (Mn) and so on. Among them, the chromium content is generally about 16%-18%, the nickel content is relatively low, and the manganese content is high, usually in 5.5-7.5%. This combination of chemical components gives J1 a certain corrosion resistance and strength.
J2
The chromium content is similar to J1, but the nickel content is slightly lower than J1, and the manganese content is relatively higher, probably between 7.5% and 9.0%. The adjustment of its chemical composition causes its performance to differ from J1 in some respects.
J3
Chromium content is generally maintained at 16%-18%, nickel content is slightly lower than J2, and manganese content is further increased to 9.0%-10.0%. Higher manganese content has an effect on its strength and work-hardening properties.
J4
The chromium content may be 16% to 17%, the nickel content is relatively low, and the manganese content is high, around 10.0% to 12.0%. At the same time, other elements such as its carbon content are also fine-tuned to optimize its specific properties.
J5
The chromium content is roughly 16% to 18%, the nickel content is low, and the manganese content is usually 12.0% to 15.0%. The high content of manganese gives it a unique performance and has the potential to be used in some occasions with special requirements for strength and toughness.

2. Corrosion resistance

J1
It has a certain corrosion resistance in the general atmospheric environment and mildly corrosive media, but in the humid, acidic or alkaline environment, its corrosion resistance is relatively weak. For example, in outdoor facilities in coastal areas, J1 stainless steel may appear rusty after a period of time.
J2
Corrosion resistance is slightly lower than J1, due to its slightly lower nickel content, in some environments containing corrosive ions such as chloride ions, it is more likely to occur corrosion reactions, such as in some non-critical parts of mariculture equipment, if J2 stainless steel is used, its service life may be affected.
J3
With the increase of manganese content, its corrosion resistance has a certain change. In weakly acidic environments, J3 shows slightly better corrosion resistance than J2, but overall it is still not as good as some stainless steels with high nickel content. For example, in the humid environment of some food processing plants, J3 stainless steel products may require more frequent maintenance.
J4
Its corrosion resistance is at a medium level in the 201 series, and it has some resistance to slight corrosion in some conventional industrial environments, but it is not suitable for strong acid and alkali environments. For example, in ordinary chemical workshops, J4 stainless steel can be considered for structural parts without direct acid-base contact.
J5
Although the manganese content is high, due to the low nickel content, its corrosion resistance is relatively weak in the 201 series, which is mainly suitable for occasions where the corrosion resistance is not high but the strength is certain, such as some interior decoration structural parts, which are used in the case of no obvious corrosion source.

3. Strength and hardness

J1
It has certain strength and hardness, and can meet the use requirements of some common structural parts, such as simple furniture frames. Its tensile strength is generally between 520MPa-690MPa, and Vickers hardness is about 160-200HV.
J2
The strength and hardness are similar to J1, but due to differences in chemical composition, the performance of the work hardening process is slightly different. Its tensile strength may be between 500MPa-680MPa and Vickers hardness is about 150-190HV.
J3
Due to the high content of manganese, its strength and hardness are improved compared with J1 and J2. The tensile strength can reach 600MPa-750MPa, and the Vickers hardness is about 180-220HV, which is more suitable for some parts that need to withstand a certain pressure or impact force, such as the shell of small machinery.
J4
The strength and hardness are further improved, the tensile strength is between 650MPa-800MPa, and the Vickers hardness is about 200-240HV, which can be applied in some occasions with high strength requirements, such as railings, handrails and other structural parts in architectural decoration.
J5
With its high content of manganese, it has high strength and hardness, tensile strength can exceed 800MPa, Vickers hardness can reach 240-280HV, often used in occasions with high strength requirements, such as the support structure of some industrial equipment, but the processing difficulty is relatively large.

4. Processing performance

J1
Good processing performance, easy to cut, bend, stamping and other processing operations. For example, when making stainless steel tableware, J1 stainless steel can be easily stamped into various shapes.
J2
Its processing performance is similar to J1, but due to the difference in manganese content, the processing parameters may need to be slightly adjusted during bending and other processing processes to avoid defects such as cracks.
J3
With the increase of manganese content, the work hardening speed is accelerated, and the processing process needs to be arranged more reasonably and the processing parameters are controlled, such as in the deep stamping process, pay attention to the design of the mold and the stamping speed, otherwise it is easy to cause the workpiece to break.
J4
The work hardening is obvious and the processing difficulty is relatively large. In the processing of complex shapes, multiple annealing treatments may be required to improve the processing performance, which increases the processing cost and processing cycle.
J5
Due to its high strength and high hardness, the processing performance is poor, and the processing equipment and process requirements are higher. For example, when cutting, it is necessary to use sharper tools and suitable cutting fluid, and the cutting speed should be controlled at a low level to ensure the processing quality.

5. Application field differentiation

J1
Widely used in the field of interior decoration, such as the frame of stainless steel doors and Windows, indoor stainless steel railings and so on. In some occasions where corrosion resistance is not high, but focus on appearance and cost, J1 stainless steel is a good choice. For example, in the interior decoration of ordinary homes, its price is relatively low, which can meet the basic decoration and structural requirements.
J2
It is often used for some non-critical industrial components or low-demand civilian products. Such as some ordinary electrical shell, small hardware products, etc. In these applications, although the corrosion resistance and strength requirements are not particularly high, J2 stainless steel can provide basic performance guarantees at a lower cost.
J3
It is suitable for some occasions with certain requirements for strength and relatively mild environmental conditions. For example, it is used in some stainless steel parts of automobile interior and general architectural decoration structural parts. In the automotive interior, J3 stainless steel can withstand a certain amount of collision and extrusion, while its appearance can also meet the decorative needs.
J4
Mainly used in the building decoration industry in the middle and high-end products, such as high-end office building exterior wall decorative panels, luxury residential stair railings and so on. These occasions have high requirements for the strength, corrosion resistance and appearance of the material, and J4 stainless steel can better balance these performance requirements.
J5
It is widely used in the field of industrial equipment manufacturing, such as the frame and support structure of some industrial machinery. In these occasions, the requirements for strength and hardness are extremely high, while the requirements for corrosion resistance are relatively low, J5 stainless steel can play its advantages of high strength to ensure the stable operation of the equipment.

6. Cost comparison

J1
Due to its relatively low nickel content and good processing performance, the production cost is relatively low, and the price is relatively close to the people in the market. This makes it widely used in a large number of civil and some industrial fields where the cost is sensitive and the performance requirements are not high.
J2
The cost is similar to the J1, and its price advantage makes it a common choice in some applications with slightly lower performance requirements. The comprehensive consideration of raw material cost and processing cost makes it have a certain competitiveness in the market.
J3
With the increase of manganese content and the improvement of performance, its cost is slightly higher than J1 and J2. However, in some applications that require moderate strength and certain corrosion resistance, its cost performance is still high, and it can find a good balance between performance and cost.
J4
The cost is relatively high, because its chemical composition and performance characteristics determine its production process is relatively complex, and the cost of raw materials has also increased. In areas with high requirements for quality and performance, such as architectural decoration, its higher cost is compensated for by its good performance.
J5
Due to its high content of manganese and special performance requirements, the production is difficult and the raw material cost is high, resulting in its cost is the highest in the 201 stainless steel series. It is only used in areas such as industrial equipment manufacturing, which requires very high strength and is not too sensitive to cost.