This invention provides a high-
nitrogen austenitic stainless steel superior to the conventional one both in the
corrosion resistance and strength, despite a low Ni content, characterized in having a
Fe content of 50% by
mass or more; containing Cr: 15.0% by
mass to 35.0% by
mass, Mo: 0.05% by mass to 8.0% by mass %, Mn: 0.2% by mass to 10.0% by mass, Cu: 0.01% by mass to 4.0% by mass and N: 0.8% by mass to 1.5% by mass, both ends inclusive, having a C content of 0.20% by mass or less, a Si content of 2.0% by mass or less, a P content of 0.03% by mass or less, a S content of 0.05% by mass or less, a Ni content of 0.5% by mass or less, an
Al content of 0.03% by mass or less, and an 0 content of 0.020% by mass or less; wherein the contents of Cr, Mo, N and Mn are adjusted so that a compositional parameter η expressed by the equation: η≡(WCr+3.3WMo+16WN) / WMn where WCr is Cr content (% by mass), WMo is Mo content (% by mass) WN is N content (% by mass) and WMn is Mn content (% by mass) has a value of 5 or above. and optionally further containing either one of, or both of: W: 0.01% by mass to 1.0% by mass; and Co: 0.01% by mass to 5.0% by mass, both ends inclusive; and optionally further containing at least one of: Ti: 0.01% by mass to 0.5% by mass; Nb: 0.01% by mass to 0.5% by mass; V: 0.01% by mass to 1.0% by mass; and Ta: 0.01% by mass to 0.5% by mass, both ends inclusive; and optionally further containing at least one of: B: 0.001% by mass to 0.01% by mass; Zr: 0.01% by mass to 0.50% by mass; Ca: 0.001% by mass to 0.01% by mass; and Mg: 0.001% by mass to 0.01% by mass, both ends inclusive; and optionally further containing either one of, or both of: Te: 0.005% by mass to 0.05% by mass; and Se: 0.01% by mass to 0.20% by mass, both ends inclusive.