Abrasion resistant tubular member

A surface of a tubular member made of an austenite stainless steel having a molybdenum content of from 2 to 3% is subjected to a low temperature ionization nitriding treatment in a gas atmosphere of N2: from 5 to 15% by volume, H2: from 95 to 85% by volume, at a temperature of from 400 to 470degC to form a nitride layer. Since the low temperature ion nitriding treatment is thus applied, generation of ε phase which lowers corrosion resistance can be suppressed. That is, the hardened layer (nitride layer) is provided with abrasion resistance, while the inside can keep the inherent characteristic of the austenite stainless steel having high toughness. In addition, this can avoid the tendency of lowering corrosion resistance due to the formation of a ε phase caused by exposure to high temperature for a long time in order to increase the thickness of the nitrided layer. When the thickness of the tube is 1.3mm, the less than 130μm is enough for the nitride layer. Abrasion resistance can be improved by thus applying ion nitriding treatment to the austenite stainless steel containing molybdenum under controlled temperature and atmosphere. (N.H.)