PURPOSE: To prepare an abrasion resistant roll having high hardness, by applying the build-up welding of a hard metal having a specific composition based on C- Cr to the surface of a hot rolled roll before applying nitrification treatment thereto.

CONSTITUTION: A hard low alloyed steel layer having a specific composition is formed to the surface of a hot rolled roll by build-up welding. That is, steel containing 0.10W0.50% C, 0.20W2.0% Si, 0.30W3.0% Mn, 0.5W4.0% Cr and at least one of 0.01W0.20% Ti and 0.002W0.20% B or steel prepared further containing one or more of Mo<4.0%, V<2.0%, Al<2.0% and Nb<2.0% in the former steel is subjected to build-up welding. The build-up layer having fine hard carbide is subjected to nitrification treatment due to an ammonia gas nitrification method to make it possible to prepare a roll having extremely high hardness and excellent abrasion resistance.