STAINLESS STEEL 200 SERIES

Although it’s corrosion-resistant, the 200 series has a lesser ability than the 300 series to protect against pitting corrosion. This occurs in environments that have high moisture and chlorine contents. The 200 series also have a lesser ability to protect against crevice corrosion, which results in stagnant liquid and high acid environments. The chromium content must also be reduced in order to decrease the nickel content, thereby lowering corrosion resistance. 

Series 200 stainless steels have excellent impact resistance and toughness, however, even in low and cryogenic temperatures. They’re generally harder and stronger than 300 series steels, primarily due to their higher nitrogen content which acts as a strengthener. Neither the 200 and 300 series of stainless steels are magnetic because they’re austenitic. 

Austenitic steels are more expensive than their ferritic counterparts, but the 200 series is cheaper to produce than 300 series steels because of its lower nickel content.The 200 series steels suffer from lower formability and ductility than 300 series grades, but this can be improved with the addition of copper.