PURPOSE: To provide superior resistance to nitric acid by adding Nb or Ti as a carbon stabilizing element and controlling the 1st heat treatment temp., cold working rate and the 2nd heat treatment temp.

CONSTITUTION: The composition of an austenitic stainless steel is composed of, by weight, <0.04% C, <0.4% Si, <2% Mn, <0.02% P, 18W30% Cr, 7W28% Ni, 0.1W1% Nb and/or 0.1W1% Ti [(Nb+Ti)≥C×8] and the balance Fe with inevitable impurities. The steel is held at ≥1,150°C and quenched. It is cold worked at ≥30% working rate and held at a temp. between the recrystallization temp. and the recrystallization temp. + 100°C to from a fine crystal structure.