Problems encountered in the production of low nickel austenitic stainless steel have been studied. These problems primarily include the changes to the microstructure of the slab during the heating process,the formation and removal of deformation- induced martensite during cold rolling,and the effects of the annealing process on the surface oxide structure. A reasonable manufacturing process has been proposed on the basis of the research results and highquality cold-rolled strips of low nickel austenitic stainless steel have been produced. Problems encountered in the production of low nickel austenitic stainless steel have been studied. These problems include include the changes to the microstructure of the slab during the heating process, the formation and removal of deformation-induced martensite during cold rolling, and the effects of the annealing process on the surface oxide structure. A reasonable manufacturing process has been proposed on the basis of the research results and highquality cold-rolled strips of low nickel austenitic stainless steel have been produced.