Electrochemical behavior of the recently developed beta-type Ti-38 at% Zr-17 at% Al (TZA) alloy has been studied in nitric acid medium for applications in nuclear reprocessing plant. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance studies revealed that the passive film formed on the TZA alloy was highly protective in nature. Mott-Schottky analysis of the passive film formed on TZA alloy showed n-type semiconducting properties. The electrochemical data confirmed the superior corrosion resistance of TZA alloy as the passive film formed exhibited better properties than that of the commercial pure Ti. XPS analyses confirmed that the stable passivity of TZA alloy in nitric acid was due to the formation of thick and protective passive layer, predominantly of ZrO2 with TiO2. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.