Abstract: In a process for producing hot rolled steel strip with adjusted strength a steel with 0.04 to 0.06% carbon, at most 1% silicon, at most 1% manganese, 13 to 18% chromium, at most 2% nickel, balance carbide formers and iron, inclusive of impurities due to melting, is melted, the actual content of carbide formers within the specified limits is determined, a rolling oversize for a subsequent hot rolling is established in dependence on the actual content of carbide formers, and the hot rolled strip is solution annealed at a temperature of 920.degree. to 1050.degree. C. and quenched to a ferritic-martensitic structure and cold rolled down to the specified final thickness.

Abstract: By solution-annealing and water-quenching of a hot-rolled ferritic chromium steel comprising 0.03 to 0.07% carbon, not more than 1% silicon, not more than 1% manganese, 13 to 18% chromium, not more than 2% nickel, balance iron and impurities arising from melting, a ferritic martensitic microstructure can be obtained to achieve high strength, hardness and toughness.