Happy Tiffins are AISI 201 stainless steel. This steel is lighter, 30% stronger and provides superior corrosion resistance than 18/10, 18/1 (300 series) counterparts.
Types/Grades
Different countries use different names for the various grades of stainless steel. For example ‘18/8′ the most commonly used grade of stainless steel is also known as ‘304′ in the North American AISI grade distinction system, or 1.4301 in the European BS EN 10088 standard. So products that have the exact same grade of stainless steel may be labeled differently depending on where they were manufactured. As mentioned the most popular type of stainless steel is the ‘300′ series which is austenitic, and so is not (or only very weakly) attracted by a magnet. The 300 series is made up of Iron, a maximum of 0.15% carbon, a minimum of 16% chromium and a sufficient amount of nickel and/or manganese to retain an austenitic structure. For example, the most popular in this series, ‘304′ or ‘18/8′ stainless steel means that there is 18% chromium and 8% nickel. 304 or 18/8 stainless steel has excellent corrosion resistance.
The 200 series is also austenitic. More specifically, ‘201′ is made up of 16-18% chromium, 3.5-5.5 % nickel, 0.15% carbon, and 5.5-7.5% manganese. The 200 series is a high performance stainless steel, which is cheaper due to the substitution of manganese for a portion of the nickel that is found in the 300 series. The 200 series has a higher tensile strength than the 300 series, which allows it to be thinner. It has slightly less corrosion resistance than the 300 series. Nitrogen is a very effective strengthening addition. As a result, the 200-series grades are generally stronger and harder than the 300-series. This can be quite significant and useful in some applications. Grade 201, for instance, has a yield strength about 30% higher than grade 304. *
The 400 series is ferritic, (or magnetic) and martensitic (very hard). Again, more specifically, type ‘430′ or ‘18/0′ has 16-18% chromium, 0.75% nickel, 0.12% carbon and 1% manganese. It has a reduced corrosion resistance which is improved by having a highly polished or buffed finish. The 400 series is also easier to machine than the 300 series, lowering manufacturing costs.
So how to choose?
‘304′ or ‘18/8′ is one of the best grades on the market. Only ‘18/10′ claims to be of a better quality. If you are looking for something that will last a lifetime, this is it. However, the ‘200′ series is slowly catching up to the 300 series in popularity due to the high cost of nickel. It is more corrosion resistant, and the fact that it is stronger, therefore items can be thinner, also makes it much cheaper and lighter. ‘430′, or ‘18/0′ stainless steel requires a bit more attention. It is the least corrosion resistant of the three, so it requires a bit more maintenance. For example, it should be dried after washing, not left to drip dry. This does not mean that ‘430′ will fall apart. It will last just as long as the other grades of stainless steel if looked after. The 200 series is a great option food containers which need to be strong, light in weight and corrosion resistant.
201 grades have austenitic structure in annealed condition at ambient temperature similar to 18/8 (304) Stainless Steel with higher strength, excellent formability, weldability and good corrosion resistance. These grades are non-magnetic in annealed condition and like 18/8 (304) become mildly magnetic after cold working. AISI 201 have even lower levels of carbon for superior corrosion resistance.
* World Stainless. http://www.worldstainless.org/NR/rdonlyres/16D7CBB1-1E5F-4338-9A5A-F53504A87667/3265/200seriesstainlesssteel.pdf
Happy Tiffins are AISI 201 stainless steel. This steel is lighter, 30% stronger and provides superior corrosion resistance than 18/10, 18/1 (300 series) counterparts.
