This paper presents, using a specific experimental set-up, the cathodic polarization curves recorded under steady-state and quasi-stationary conditions, for 316L stainless steel, Alloy C-276 and T60 titanium materials, in oxidative chlorinated aqueous media. Measurements were carried out at temperatures and pressures reaching supercritical conditions (400 degreesC, 28 MPa). The influence of various parameters such as the pH, the nature of materials, the sub- or supercritical state of the medium, was investigated using the determination of the corrosion rate. A hierarchy of the electrochemical behavior of the materials was established as far as the resistance to corrosion of industrial plants is concerned. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.