Type 316L SS play a key role in the bone replacement surgery due to its excellent mechanical features, availability at low cost and ease of fabrication. However it fails miserably in vivo conditions due to corrosion-related problems. Hence an alternative method on the development of hydroxyapatite (HAP) coatings has been elucidated to impart corrosion resistance of the base metal and ensure biocompatibility of the ceramic on the metal surface. This also could not match the implant at the host site due to the continuous interaction of hostile environment with the implant and results in the dissolution of both ceramic and metal. An artificially induced passive layer on the metal surface prior to coating may improve the nature of implant on the resistance to corrosion. In the present study, the effect of HNO3 treatments on 316L SS and the coatings on passivated 316L SS is being explored. Electrochemical studies involving cyclic anodic polarization experiments and impedance analysis in Ringer's solution were done to determine the corrosion resistance of the coatings. The leach out characteristics of the coatings was determined at the impressed potential. The results have indicated the efficiency of HAP coatings on HNO3-treated surface. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.