The present invention is directed towards an austenitic, stainless steel series 300 alloy having improved biocompatible characteristics. The modified stainless steel alloy consists essentially of, in weight percent, about TABLE-US-00001 C Mn Si P S .ltoreq.0.030 .ltoreq.2.00 .ltoreq.0.750 .ltoreq.0.023 .ltoreq.0.010 Cr Mo Ni Fe "X" 8.5-11.5 0.0-6.25 6.5-7.5 46.185-74.000 5.0-10.0 whereby variable "x" could be comprised from a group consisting of Gold, Osmium, Palladium, Platinum, Rhenium, Tantalum, or Tungsten. The alloy provides a unique combination of strength, ductility, corrosion resistance, and other mechanical properties which also has improved biocompatible characteristics.