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201 stainless steel plate is an austenitic stainless steel that partially replaces nickel with manganese and nitrogen. Due to its low cost and excellent processability, it has been widely used in numerous industrial and civil fields. Although its corrosion resistance and mechanical properties are slightly inferior to those of high-nickel stainless steels such as 304, 201 stainless steel has become the preferred material in many industries due to its cost-performance advantage in specific service environments. So, what are the specific application fields of 201 stainless steel plates? This article will provide a detailed analysis from multiple dimensions. I. Architectural Decoration Field In the architectural and interior decoration industry, 201 stainless steel plates are widely used in elevator panels, stair handrails, curtain wall decorative strips, ceilings, door frames, and wall decorations. Its surface can undergo various treatments (such as brushing, mirror finishing, sandblasting, etching, etc.), which can meet the design needs of different styles. Especially in mid-to-low-end commercial spaces or residential projects, 201 stainless steel not only has a metallic texture but also effectively controls costs. However, it should be noted that 201 stainless steel may develop slight rust spots in high-humidity or coastal salt spray environments, so caution should be exercised when using it in outdoor areas exposed for a long time. II. Kitchen Equipment and Home Appliance Manufacturing 201 stainless steel plates are often used to manufacture kitchen utensils, such as sinks, stove tops, range hood casings, microwave oven liners, and rice cooker liners. These products have relatively moderate requirements for material corrosion resistance and are mostly in dry environments or short-term contact with water vapor, so 201 stainless steel is fully capable. In addition, the casings of some small home appliances that do not directly contact food (such as electric kettle bases and washing machine panels) also extensively use 201 material to reduce production costs. However, it should be noted: if it involves long-term contact with acidic or high-salt foods (such as pickled product containers), it is recommended to use 304 or higher-grade stainless steel to ensure food safety. III. Transportation Industry In fields such as rail transit and automobile manufacturing, 201 stainless steel plates can be used for non-load-bearing structural components such as carriage interior panels, luggage racks, seat brackets, and instrument panel frames. For example, the interior decoration of some urban subways or buses extensively adopts 201 stainless steel because of its good formability and weldability, which facilitates mass processing. However, 201 stainless steel is not recommended for high-temperature or highly corrosive areas such as vehicle chassis and exhaust systems, due to its limited high-temperature strength and resistance to chloride ion corrosion. IV. Industrial Equipment and Pipeline Systems 201 stainless steel plates also have certain applications in scenarios such as light industrial equipment, food processing machinery, storage shelves, and ventilation ducts. For example, conveyor belt supports, packaging machine casings, and cold storage lining plates in dry environments can all use 201 material. However, if it involves strong acids, strong alkalis, or high-salt media (such as chemical industry and seawater desalination equipment), 201 stainless steel should be avoided to prevent pitting corrosion or stress corrosion cracking. V. Daily Hardware and Furniture Manufacturing Many common hardware products in daily life, such as stainless steel trash cans, storage racks, clothes drying racks, file cabinets, and office desk brackets, are manufactured using 201 stainless steel plates. Such products have low requirements for corrosion resistance and focus more on appearance and cost control, which 201 stainless steel can meet exactly. In addition, in modern minimalist furniture design, 201 stainless steel is also used for structural components such as table legs and frames to enhance the product’s modern sense and durability. VI. Precautions and Material Selection Suggestions Although 201 stainless steel plates are widely used, users should comprehensively judge based on the specific service environment when selecting materials. Its main disadvantage is the low nickel content (usually ≤1%), which leads to easy corrosion in chloride ion-containing environments (such as seaside and near swimming pools) or acidic conditions. Therefore, 201 stainless steel should be used with caution or avoided in the following scenarios: – Long-term contact with seawater or salt spray environments; – High-temperature and high-humidity spaces with poor ventilation; – Containers directly contacting strong acids, strong alkalis, or high-salt foods; – Medical devices or pharmaceutical equipment with extremely high hygiene standards. In general, relying on its economy, good processability, and moderate corrosion resistance, 201 stainless steel plates have demonstrated strong practical value in multiple fields such as architectural decoration, home appliance manufacturing, transportation, light industrial equipment, and daily hardware. As long as materials are selected reasonably and used scientifically, 201 stainless steel can fully meet the needs of most non-severe working conditions. For projects with limited budgets but hoping to obtain the appearance and basic performance of stainless steel, 201 stainless steel is undoubtedly a cost-effective choice.