The effect of hydrogen sulfide ions (HS − ) on the passivity of type 316L stainless steel was investigated in pH 8.4 boric acid-borate buffer solution. Galvanostatic polarization of a silver microelectrode covered with Ag 2 S generated both OH − and HS − above the stainless steel surface. During potentiostatic polarization of the stainless steel, the passivity-maintaining current density increased with increase in the concentration of HS − in the vicinity of the surface. The impedance of the stainless steel at a constant frequency decreased during polarization in the presence of HS − , while it was sustained after dilution of HS − . Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Mott-Schottky (M-S) analysis and scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) showed that a defective and n-type semiconductive passive film was formed in the solution containing HS − . Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) revealed that metal cations and oxygen vacancies in the passive film on the stainless steel increased when it was formed in a HS − -containing solution. The series of changes in passive film properties is thought to be due to adsorption of HS -on the film surface during the polarization. Corrosion resistance of stainless steel is thought to be dependent on degradation of the passive film, which is important to understand a precursor process involved in localized corrosion such as pitting corrosion and to estimate the long-term performance of the material. Inclusions of sulfides such as manganese sulfide (MnS) are known to provide pitting corrosion sites of stainless steel. [1][2][3] As for the roles of MnS in pitting corrosion, it has been generally agreed that electrochemical and/or chemical reactions of MnS release S species (SO 4 2-, HSO 3 -, S 2 O 3 2-, S and S 2-). The released S species change the composition of the local solution contiguous to the inclusion and lead to a decrease of pH near the micro-area. The decrease in pH and the presence of aggressive S species result in transition of the passive surface to a transpassive state, causing exposure of the substrate to the solution, which is the initiation of pitting corrosion.1-5 Eklund suggested that the dissolution of MnS gives rise to acidification of the solution by producing sulfate ions:Solution acidification is also caused by production of thiosulfate ions:In both cases, elemental sulfur is finally formed. On the other hand, Wraglén proposed that elemental sulfur formed by MnS dissolution leads to further acidification as follows: Many possible explanations for the detrimental effects of various S species causing initiation and/or propagation of pitting corrosion on stainless steel have been presented. Most previous studies have focused on the overall processes, including destabilization of the passive film, removal of the film, and initiation and/or propagation of pits. Since degradation of the passive film is the initial process of pitting corrosion, it is important to contemplate the change in passivity or passive film until depassivation. When stainless st...