Electrochemical behavior of a high Cr and Ni austenitic stainless steel (HCN) is investigated and 316L SS in a simulated proton exchange membrane fuel cell environments is also investigated, and interfacial contact resistance (ICR) is measured before and after potentiostatic polarization. Both stainless steels underwent passivation in both anode and cathode environments for proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Passive current density of HCN is lower than that of 316L SS. An increase in ICR between carbon paper and HCN results from passive film formed during the potentiostatic polarization. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.