This paper deals with the investigation of the corrosion behaviour of CN 108 alloy in sea water by means of surface analysis (SEM, EDS and X Y S ) . The results with samples with different surface finishes (as-received or pickled), tested in natural or artificial sea water, are discussed. The chemical composition and the morphology of the corrosion products were established and related to the corrosion behaviour of the alloy. In highly chlorinated sca water the growth of a cathodic film, strongly enriched in manganese, and pitting initiation at the grain boundaries, were observed on both as-received and pickled samples. The occurrence of gcneral uneven corrosion in unchlorinated sea water is related to