Element-resolved electrochemical analysis of the passivity of additively manufactured stainless steel 316L

•The ‘true’ corrosion rate of AM-316L was lower than that of the W-316L in 0.6 M NaCl.•The fraction of Cr2O3 was relatively higher in the passive film of AM-316L than that of the W-316L.•The Mn(Si, Al) rich oxide nano-particles present in AM-316L dissolved preferentially in 0.6 M NaCl.•Surface composition of the surrounding area changed during propagation of the pit in both the W-316L and AM-316L specimens. The dissolution and passivation behavior of additively manufactured stainless steel 316L (AM-316L) prepared via selective laser melting was studied in quiescent 0.6 M NaCl. In a detailed comparison with the wrought stainless steel 316L (W-316L), it was determined via mass spectroelectrochemistry and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), that AM-316L exhibited a unique passive film relative to W-316L, resulting in a lower dissolution rate. The dissolution and enrichment of all alloying elements at open circuit potential and during polarisation were studied and elaborated.