A galling and corrosion resistant austenitic stainless steel alloy is disclosed containing in weight percent about______________________________________ w/o ______________________________________ Carbon 0.25 Max. Manganese 2.0-7.0 Silicon 1.0-5.0 Phosphorus 0.05 Max. Sulfur 0.3 Max. Chromium 12-20 Nickel 2.0-7.75 Molybdenum 3 Max. Copper 3 Max. Nitrogen 0.35 Max. ______________________________________ the balance being essentially iron. To attain its unique properties the alloy must be balanced so as to contain no more than about 10% ferrite. The % Ni+1/2(% Mn) must not be less than 5.5% and not greater than 1/8[11(% Si)+42], and the sum of the (% C+% N) is at least 0.15%. Care must be taken that when the amount of silicon present is less than about 2.25%, at least about 4.0% manganese is present.