CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel

VT machining provides CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel for customers who need accurate, repeatable 201 Stainless Steel components. The machinability of 201 Stainless Steel is moderate; work-hardens, so positive-rake tooling and steady feeds are used to avoid glazing, so we set the operation up specifically for this grade.

CNC Drilling Capability for 201 Stainless Steel

  • Austenitic/martensitic grades
  • Corrosion resistant
  • Tolerance to ±0.01 mm
  • Typical hardness 70–200 HB (annealed)

201 Stainless Steel Material Data

201 Stainless Steel — typical properties, quoted for 304
Density8.00 g/cm³
Tensile strength515 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)205 MPa
Hardness170 HB
Melting point1400–1450 °C
Thermal conductivity16.2 W/m·K
Thermal expansion17.3 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity2.4%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)45%
Grades we run303, 304/304L, 316/316L, 321, 410, 416, 420, 17-4PH, 2205 duplex

Published typical values for 304. Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining 201 Stainless Steel — what actually causes trouble

It work-hardens the moment a tool dwells. Constant feed and positive-rake tooling; a rubbing pass leaves a glazed skin the next tool cannot get through.

Machining 201 Stainless Steel with CNC Drilling

201 Stainless Steel behaves predictably under CNC Drilling once parameters are dialled in: machinability is moderate; work-hardens, so positive-rake tooling and steady feeds are used to avoid glazing, and we tune the operation accordingly.

We hold reference parameters for this grade, so repeat orders of 201 Stainless Steel run consistently from one batch to the next.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel

CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Linear dimension (< 100 mm)±0.05 mm±0.010 mm
Linear dimension (100–300 mm)±0.10 mm±0.025 mm
Hole diameter (reamed)H9H7
True position of hole pattern±0.10 mm±0.025 mm
Flatness over 100 mm0.05 mm0.015 mm
Perpendicularity0.10 mm0.020 mm
Surface finish, as machinedRa 1.6 µmRa 0.4 µm

Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.

CNC Drilling Tolerances & Surface Finish

For CNC Drilling, dimensional and positional tolerances around ±0.01 mm are routine, tightening toward ±0.005 mm on precision setups. Surface finish on machined faces typically falls in the Ra 0.4–1.6 µm range depending on tooling and pass strategy.

Final tolerances are governed by the material's behaviour, wall thickness and overall stiffness. We give honest DFM feedback if a callout would be costly or better achieved another way.

CNC Drilling Quality & Inspection

We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every 201 Stainless Steel part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

Design Tips for CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Generous internal radii, sensible pocket depth-to-width ratios and avoiding very thin unsupported walls all reduce cost and improve accuracy in 201 Stainless Steel. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

Why 201 Stainless Steel?

201 Stainless Steel is chosen when a part needs what this grade offers — it is corrosion resistant, strong and hygienic. We confirm the grade and any temper or heat-treat condition with you before machining.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Finished 201 Stainless Steel parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.

Applications of CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel

Customers order CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

How to Order CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel

Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.

Finishing Options for 201 Stainless Steel

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Citric passivationASTM A967 / AMS 2700, removes free iron
Electropolish5–25 µm removedRa improves by roughly half, hygienic surface
Brushed / grainedRa 0.4–1.6 µmNo. 4 finish, directional
PVD coating2–5 µmTiN, TiCN for wear surfaces
Deburr / edge break0.05–0.3 mmAll parts unless the drawing says otherwise
Bead blastRa 1.6–3.2 µmUniform matt finish, hides tool marks
Laser markingPart number, lot code, data matrix
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Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.

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What We Need to Quote CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel

  • GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
  • MaterialThe exact 201 Stainless Steel grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
  • QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
  • TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
  • FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
  • DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.

Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.

201 Stainless Steel in Other Processes

Related

Send the drawing, the 201 Stainless Steel condition and the quantity — pricing and lead time come back the same or next business day.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What material thickness or size range suits CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel?

We machine 201 Stainless Steel across a broad size range; share your part envelope for confirmation.

Why is 201 Stainless Steel a good choice for CNC Drilling?

201 Stainless Steel is corrosion resistant, strong and hygienic, which makes it well suited to CNC Drilling. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished 201 Stainless Steel machining part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.

What surface finish is achievable on 201 Stainless Steel with CNC Drilling?

Surface finish on 201 Stainless Steel is controlled to your specification; we confirm the achievable Ra against your callout.

What tolerances can you hold for CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel?

Achievable tolerances for 201 Stainless Steel machining depend on the alloy, geometry and feature size. Milling holds positional and dimensional tolerances to around ±0.01 mm, tighter with precision setups. Exact figures are confirmed against your drawing callouts.

Which industries use CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel parts?

CNC Drilling 201 Stainless Steel parts are used across aerospace, medical, automotive, electronics, semiconductor and general industrial sectors — anywhere precise 201 Stainless Steel components are required.