LDX 2101 Duplex Stainless Steel Plate
LDX 2101 (UNS S32101) is a lean duplex stainless steel plate offering double the yield strength of 304, high SCC resistance, and excellent price stability due to its low nickel content. Thickness 0.3-100mm. Supplied with EN 10204 3.1 MTC.
| Material | Lean Duplex Stainless Steel (Austenitic-Ferritic) |
|---|---|
| Grade / Standard | LDX 2101 / UNS S32101 |
| Thickness | 0.3mm - 100mm |
| Width | 1000mm / 1219mm / 1500mm / 2000mm / Custom |
| Length | 2000mm / 2438mm / 3000mm / 6000mm / Custom Lengths |
| Delivery Condition | hot_rolled / cold_rolled |
| Surface Treatment | shot_blasting / polished / coated |
| MOQ | 1 Ton |
| Delivery Time | 15-30 Days / Select Sizes In Stock |
| Loading Port | Tianjin / Shanghai / Qingdao |
Overview of LDX 2101 Duplex Stainless Steel Plate
LDX 2101® is a revolutionary “lean duplex” stainless steel plate, specifically engineered to provide a highly cost-effective and price-stable alternative to standard 300-series austenitic grades like 304 and 316L. Specified under ASTM A240 with the UNS designation S32101 and European standard EN 1.4162, LDX 2101 features a low nickel (1.5%) and low molybdenum (0.3%) composition, relying instead on elevated levels of chromium, nitrogen, and manganese. This unique alloying strategy creates a dual-phase (ferritic-austenitic) microstructure that insulates the material from the extreme price volatility of global nickel and molybdenum markets.
The most compelling advantage of LDX 2101 duplex plate is its exceptional mechanical strength. With a yield strength that is more than double that of 304 and 316L, it allows engineers to drastically reduce plate thickness in structural designs, resulting in massive material weight savings and lower fabrication costs. Alongside its formidable strength, LDX 2101 delivers excellent resistance to chloride stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and general corrosion resistance comparable or superior to 304. It has become the material of choice for large-scale storage tanks, heavy structural components, bridges, and water treatment facilities globally.
Key Features and Manufacturing Methods
The manufacturing of LDX 2101 duplex stainless steel plate focuses on achieving the optimal 50/50 balance of austenite and ferrite phases. Hot Rolled (HR) plates (typically 3.0mm to 100mm) are rolled at elevated temperatures and supplied in the solution annealed and water-quenched condition (No.1 finish). This rapid quenching process, usually conducted between 1020°C and 1100°C, is critical to prevent the formation of detrimental intermetallic phases and to lock in the dual-phase structure that provides its signature strength and toughness. Cold Rolled (CR) sheets (0.3mm to 3.0mm) are precision-rolled to tighter tolerances with a smooth 2B finish, ideal for architectural panelling and lighter tank fabrication.
LDX 2101 offers very good formability and can be formed using equipment similar to that used for carbon steel, though its high strength means greater force and increased spring-back must be accounted for. It is supplied in standard widths of 1219mm, 1500mm, and 2000mm, up to 6000mm in length. Every plate produced undergoes strict quality assurance protocols, including ultrasonic testing (UT) for heavy plates to guarantee internal integrity, precise chemical analysis (PMI) to confirm the high nitrogen/manganese balance, and microstructural examination to verify phase proportions.
Main Applications of LDX 2101 Duplex Stainless Steel Plate
Thanks to its extraordinary strength-to-weight ratio and cost efficiency, LDX 2101 is fundamentally changing structural engineering. In the Storage and Fluid Handling industry, it is widely used to construct large-scale storage tanks for water, pulp and paper liquors, biofuels, and chemicals. Using LDX 2101 allows tank builders to use significantly thinner plates for the lower tank courses, cutting raw material and welding costs dramatically.
In the Infrastructure and Construction sectors, LDX 2101 plates are utilized for building pedestrian and vehicular bridges, floodgates, blast walls, and structural reinforcements where high strength, low maintenance, and long-term durability are required without the exorbitant cost of standard duplex (2205). The Water and Wastewater Treatment industry relies on LDX 2101 for desalination plant components, clarifiers, and filtration tanks. Additionally, its aesthetic appeal and structural rigidity make it highly suitable for architectural applications, such as commercial building facades, elevator structures, and heavy-duty walkway supports.
Why Choose Us for LDX 2101 Duplex Stainless Steel Plate
Shandong Tanglu Metal Material Co., Ltd. is at the forefront of supplying advanced lean duplex stainless steels to the global market. We source our LDX 2101 (UNS S32101) plates from world-class, ISO 9001 and PED-certified mills, ensuring the material meets the strict chemical requirements necessary to deliver its renowned strength and corrosion resistance. We understand that utilizing lean duplex is about maximizing project efficiency; therefore, we offer expert technical support to help you transition from 304/316L to LDX 2101 and realize significant weight and cost savings.
We maintain a comprehensive inventory of LDX 2101 plates ranging from 1.5mm up to 50mm, available for immediate dispatch. Our processing center offers state-of-the-art CNC plasma, laser, and waterjet cutting services, delivering custom-cut profiles and pre-beveled plates ready for your welding line. All shipments are securely packaged on heavy-duty, fumigated wooden pallets to prevent transit damage. Every order is fully traceable, accompanied by an EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Certificate, with third-party inspections (SGS, TUV, BV, DNV) readily available to guarantee compliance with your stringent structural engineering codes.
📐 Dimension & Size Table
| Thickness (mm) | Theoretical Weight (kg/m²) | Common Widths (mm) | Surface Finish |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.0 | 7.80 | 1000 / 1219 | 2B (Cold Rolled) |
| 1.5 | 11.70 | 1219 / 1500 | 2B (Cold Rolled) |
| 2.0 | 15.60 | 1219 / 1500 | 2B (Cold Rolled) |
| 3.0 | 23.40 | 1219 / 1500 | 2B / No.1 |
| 4.0 | 31.20 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 5.0 | 39.00 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 6.0 | 46.80 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 8.0 | 62.40 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 10.0 | 78.00 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 12.0 | 93.60 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 16.0 | 124.80 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 20.0 | 156.00 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 25.0 | 195.00 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 30.0 | 234.00 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 40.0 | 312.00 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
| 50.0 | 390.00 | 1500 / 2000 | No.1 (Hot Rolled) |
* Custom sizes available upon request. Tolerances per relevant international standards.
🔬 Chemical Composition
| Element | Min | Max | Display Value | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | - | 0.040 | ≤0.040 | Low carbon to prevent sensitization |
| Cr | 21.00 | 22.00 | 21.00-22.00 | Provides foundational corrosion resistance |
| Ni | 1.35 | 1.70 | 1.35-1.70 | Lean nickel content for cost stability |
| Mn | 4.00 | 6.00 | 4.00-6.00 | High Mn replaces Ni to stabilize austenite |
| Mo | 0.10 | 0.80 | 0.10-0.80 | Low Mo further reduces alloy cost |
| N | 0.20 | 0.25 | 0.20-0.25 | Crucial for high yield strength and pitting resistance |
| Cu | 0.10 | 0.80 | 0.10-0.80 | Enhances general corrosion resistance |
| Si | - | 1.00 | ≤1.00 | |
| P | - | 0.040 | ≤0.040 | |
| S | - | 0.030 | ≤0.030 |
* Chemical composition may vary by heat, thickness and specification. Please refer to the actual mill test certificate.
⚙️ Mechanical Properties
| Property | Value | Unit | Test Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Rm) | ≥650 | MPa | Solution annealed |
| Yield Strength (Rp0.2) | ≥450 | MPa | More than double that of 304/316L |
| Elongation (A) | ≥30 | % | Gauge length 50mm |
| Hardness (HBW) | ≤290 | HBW | Max 30 HRC |
| PREN | ≥26 | - | PREN = %Cr + 3.3x%Mo + 16x%N (Comparable to 304/316) |
| Density | 7.80 | g/cm³ | Reference value |
* Values shown are minimum requirements unless otherwise stated.
📦 Commercial Information
| Packaging | LDX 2101 plates are meticulously packed to ensure safe global transit and prevent edge damage or surface contamination. Cold Rolled (2B) sheets are typically interleaved with craft paper or coated with a PVC/PE protective film and secured on ISPM-15 fumigated wooden pallets. The pallets are shrink-wrapped in waterproof poly-plastic and reinforced with galvanized steel strapping and corner edge protectors. Heavy Hot Rolled (No.1) plates are bundled together using heavy-duty steel bands and mounted on thick wooden dunnage to facilitate safe forklift and crane handling. Every package is clearly labeled with heat numbers, UNS S32101, dimensions, and standard specifications. |
|---|---|
| Payment Terms | T/T (Telegraphic Transfer),L/C (Letter of Credit),D/P (Documents against Payment) |
| Price Term | FOB,CFR,CIF,EXW |
| Supply Capacity | 1,000 Tons/Month (Duplex & Lean Duplex Plates) |
| Loading Port | Tianjin / Shanghai / Qingdao |
Why Choose Our LDX 2101 Duplex Stainless Steel Plate?
Economical Price Stability
By utilizing high nitrogen and manganese instead of expensive nickel and molybdenum, LDX 2101 insulates your project from volatile raw material surcharges, offering a highly predictable and lower-cost alternative to standard 300-series.
Double the Yield Strength
With a yield strength of 450 MPa (vs ~205 MPa for 304), LDX 2101 allows engineers to design structures and tanks with significantly thinner gauge plates, drastically reducing total material weight, shipping costs, and welding time.
Superior SCC Resistance
Its dual-phase (austenitic-ferritic) microstructure provides vastly superior resistance to chloride-induced Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) compared to standard austenitic grades like 304 or 316L.
Excellent Weldability
Despite its high strength, LDX 2101 exhibits excellent weldability using standard processes (SMAW, GTAW, GMAW). It is typically welded using slightly over-alloyed 2209 duplex filler metals to ensure optimal phase balance and corrosion resistance in the weld seam.
Custom Profiling & Cutting
We provide extensive in-house processing capabilities. Using high-definition plasma, laser, and waterjet cutters, we can supply LDX 2101 plates pre-cut to your exact project dimensions, including tank shell plates and structural profiles.
🏭 Applications of LDX 2101 Duplex Stainless Steel Plate
LDX 2101 is revolutionizing structural engineering by replacing standard austenitic stainless steels and carbon steels in heavy-duty applications. In the Storage and Vessel industry, it is the premier choice for constructing large-capacity field-erected tanks for water, wastewater, pulp and paper liquors, biofuels, and chemicals. The high yield strength allows tank courses to be designed with much thinner walls, yielding immense cost savings. In Infrastructure and Architecture, LDX 2101 plates are utilized to fabricate pedestrian bridges, blast walls, floodgates, and structural reinforcements that require long-term corrosion resistance without the high price tag of standard 2205 duplex. The Water Treatment sector uses it extensively for desalination plant components, clarifier tanks, and filtration equipment. Furthermore, due to its resistance to stress corrosion cracking, it is widely utilized in the pulp and paper industry, biofuel plants, and structural frames in mild coastal environments.
📋 Quality & Certification
Our Certifications
- ✅ ISO 9001:2015
- ✅ CE Marking
- ✅ ABS
- ✅ DNV GL
- ✅ Lloyd's Register (LR)
- ✅ Bureau Veritas (BV)
- ✅ SGS Certified
- ✅ NK
- ✅ RINA
Mill Certificate Type
- 📋 EN 10204 3.1
- 📋 EN 10204 3.2
- 📋 Original Mill Certificate
- 📋 Third Party Inspection Available
- 📋 Certificate of Origin
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What does 'Lean Duplex' mean?
'Lean Duplex' refers to a sub-category of duplex stainless steels that are formulated with significantly lower amounts of expensive alloying elements like Nickel and Molybdenum. In LDX 2101 (UNS S32101), the nickel content is reduced to roughly 1.5%, and the austenite phase is stabilized instead by a high addition of Nitrogen and Manganese. This makes the material highly economical and insulated from the severe price fluctuations of the global nickel market, while still maintaining the high strength of a duplex steel.
How does LDX 2101 compare to 304 and 316L stainless steel?
Mechanically, LDX 2101 is vastly superior to 304 and 316L; it has a yield strength of 450 MPa, which is more than double that of 304 (~205 MPa). This allows for massive weight reductions in structural designs. In terms of corrosion resistance, LDX 2101 performs similarly to, and in many cases slightly better than, 304 stainless steel in most environments, and it has significantly better resistance to Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC). However, it does not match the pitting resistance of 316L in heavy marine (high chloride) environments.
Is LDX 2101 plate magnetic?
Yes. Because LDX 2101 is a duplex stainless steel, approximately 50% of its metallurgical structure is composed of ferrite (the other 50% being austenite). The ferritic phase makes the material strongly magnetic. This is a quick and easy way to distinguish it in the field from standard austenitic grades like 304 or 316L, which are generally non-magnetic.
How do you weld LDX 2101 plates?
LDX 2101 has excellent weldability and can be welded using standard processes like SMAW, GTAW, GMAW, and SAW. It is generally recommended to use an over-alloyed filler metal, most commonly standard 2209 duplex filler, to ensure the weld zone achieves the correct phase balance and matches or exceeds the corrosion resistance of the base metal. Heat input should be controlled (typically 0.5 - 2.5 kJ/mm) to prevent excessive ferrite formation in the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ).
Why is LDX 2101 so popular for storage tanks?
Storage tanks, especially the lower courses, endure immense hydrostatic pressure. If built with standard 304 stainless steel, the plates must be very thick to handle the load. Because LDX 2101 has double the yield strength, engineers can design the tank using plates that are roughly 30% to 50% thinner. This massive reduction in material weight significantly lowers the raw material cost, reduces shipping expenses, and requires much less welding time and consumable usage, making it the most cost-effective choice for tank fabrication.
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LDX 2101 Duplex Stainless Steel Plate
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