The nitrogen-bearing alloys (alloy 33 and alloy 24) and stainless steel type 316L were used in this investigation in order to study the effect of alloying elements on electrochemical behavior and on the nature of passive film in seawater. Scanning electron microscopic studies were carried out to identify the pit morphology of the alloys. Surface analysis of the alloys by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy after passivation showed that nitrogen and chromium are enriched at the surface of the passive film.IKeywords microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy 1 alloy 24, alloy 33, passive film, scanning electron