<p>Nitrided stainless steel comprises austenitic stainless steel wherein a portion of the surface layer at least is composed of a nitrided hard layer which (A) contains substantially no crystalline chrome nitride; (B) contains N atoms at 2 to 12% by weight in the base phase austenitic stainless steel phase of base phase. Such nitrided stainless steel has excellent anti-corrosion properties and surface hardness. There is no dimensional change or surface roughness caused by deposition of crystalline chrome nitride, and so no final finishing process is required.</p>
