Surface chromium enrichment on the 316L stainless steel was obtained by ball milling technique. The present study showed that chromium enrichment on the surface of the 316L stainless steel after ball milling promoted strain-induced alpha'-martensite transformation. The electrochemical test results showed that nanocrystallization and surface chromium enrichment nullified the adverse influence of alpha'-martensite on the corrosion resistance. In addition, more chromium on the surface of 316L stainless steel improved its corrosion resistance. More chromium oxides improved corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel in borate buffer solution. This was attributed to the fact that more chromium reduced acceptor concentration in passive film, which enhanced the corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.