Austrolling Crucible 422 stainless steel increased yield strength by as much as 45 per cent and tensile strength by 30 per cent. The fracture toughness characteristics, as indicated by net fracture strength and Kc values, were significantly superior after austrolling. The net fracture strength of conventionally heat-treated steel was 122,000 psi and of austrolled steel was as high as 212,000 psi. The increased resistance to cracking under stress in a salt solution and in a cathodically hydrogen-charged environment (hydrogen cracking) was significantly improved after austrolling. A relationship was shown between mechanical fatigue notch crack propagation and stress corrosion and hydrogen cracking. The microstructural changes imparted by austrolling influenced fracture characteristics that were reflected in mechanical and electrochemical properties of the steel.