Understanding the Differences Between 201 Stainless Steel Grades J1, J2, J3, J4, and J5

— A Practical Guide for International Buyers

When sourcing Acero inoxidable 201 products such as coils, sheets, or decorative panels, buyers often come across grade names like J1, J2, J3, J4, and J5. Although they all belong to the 201 series, each grade has different chemical compositions, mechanical properties, surface performance, and price levels.

These differences will directly affect welding, forming, corrosion resistance, and ultimately the total cost of your project.
For example, J5 and J3 are the most economical options, mainly used for indoor decorative parts; J1 is the standard balanced grade, while J4 offers better corrosion resistance and formability at a slightly higher price, making it ideal for applications that require better performance without switching to 304.

This article will help you clearly understand the differences between 201 J1–J5, so you can select the right material for your project.

Productos relacionados:

Bobina de acero inoxidable 201 Fleje de acero inoxidable Lámina de acero inoxidable 201 Tubo de acero inoxidable sin soldadura Tubo soldado de acero inoxidable Ángulo de acero inoxidable Barra plana de acero inoxidable Barras redondas de acero inoxidable

1. Overview of 201 Stainless Steel

201 stainless steel is a Cr–Mn–Ni type austenitic stainless steel. Compared with 304, it uses manganese (Mn) and nitrogen (N) to partly replace nickel (Ni), making it a cost-effective alternative for decorative, household, and some industrial applications.

Main Features: Good formability, decent corrosion resistance, suitable for polishing and surface processing.
Common Forms: Coil, sheet, decorative plate, colored plate.
Applications: Elevators, kitchen equipment, interior decoration, construction, and general fabrication.

2. Chemical Composition Comparison

Grado	C %	Ni%	Cr %	Mn %	Cu %	Si %	P%	S %	N%	Mo %	remark
201	≤0.15	3.50-5.50	16.00-18.00	5.50-7.50	–	≤1.00	≤0.06	≤0.03	≤0.25	–	–
201 J1	0.104	1.21	13.92	10.07	0.81	0.41	0.036	0.003	–	–	Balanced composition, widely used
201 J2	0.128	1.37	13.29	9.57	0.33	0.49	0.045	0.001	0.155	–	Lower Ni, more Mn
201 J3	0.127	1.3	14.5	9.05	0.59	0.41	0.039	0.002	0.177	0.02	Economical version, lower cost
201 J4	0.06	1.27	14.86	9.33	1.57	0.39	0.036	0.002	–	–	Added Cu for better formability and corrosion resistance
201 J5	0.135	1.45	13.26	10.72	0.07	0.58	0.043	0.002	0.149	0.032	Very low Ni, lowest cost, mainly for non-critical uses

Note: The exact composition may vary slightly depending on the mill, but the trend above is industry-standard.

3. Key Differences Between J1–J5

J1 – Standard 201 Grade

Usage: Most common in decoration, kitchen products, elevators.
Performance: Balanced mechanical properties, good welding and forming.
Cost: Moderate.
✅ Recommended for export where stable quality is required.

J2 – Low Nickel, Higher Manganese

Usage: Similar applications to J1, but more price-sensitive projects.
Performance: Lower corrosion resistance and welding performance compared to J1.
Cost: Lower than J1.
⚠️ Better for indoor or dry environments.

J3 – Economical Alternative

Usage: Door frames, interior decorative strips, backing materials.
Performance: Nickel content is very low; corrosion resistance drops significantly.
Cost: Cheaper, suitable for non-critical decorative parts.
⚠️ Not suitable for outdoor or wet environments.

J4 – Upgraded Version with Copper

Usage: Sinks, kitchen products, deep drawing parts.
Performance: Copper improves deep drawability and corrosion resistance, making it closer to 304 in some forming applications.
Cost: Slightly higher than J1, but still lower than 304.
✅ Best performance among the 201 series.

J5 – Ultra-Low Nickel Grade

Usage: Very price-sensitive markets, indoor panels, temporary or low-end products.
Performance: Weak corrosion resistance, limited welding.
Cost: Lowest.
⚠️ Use only in non-corrosive, dry conditions. Not recommended for structural or outdoor applications.

4. Applications Summary

Grado	Resistencia a la Corrosión	Formability	Welding	Price Level	Typical Applications
J1	★★★☆	★★★☆	★★★☆	$$	Kitchenware, elevators, decoration
J2	★★☆	★★☆	★★☆	$	Interior decoration, indoor panels
J3	★☆	★★	★	$	Door frames, decorative strips
J4	★★★☆	★★★★	★★★☆	$$–$$$	Sinks, deep drawing, polished surfaces
J5	★	★	★	$	Temporary structures, indoor low-end use

5. How to Choose the Right Grade for Your Project

If your product requires polishing, deep drawing, or will be exposed to moisture, choose J1 or J4.
If your priority is cost and the application is indoors, J2 or J3 may be sufficient.
For projects with very low budgets, J5 can be used for purely decorative or non-functional parts.
For export markets, J1 and J4 are generally more accepted internationally because of their stable performance.

Orinoxsteel – Your Reliable 201 Series Supplier

At Orinoxsteel, we supply 201 J1, J2, J3, J4, and J5 stainless steel coils, sheets, and decorative plates with customized surface finishes such as 2B, BA, mirror, hairline, and colored sheets.
We offer:

Full thickness & width range (0.25–3.0mm × 1000/1219/1500mm)
Surface processing & color coating
Fast delivery from stock & production lines
Export experience to South America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe

Contáctenos for a quotation or technical consultation.