The electrochemical corrosion behavior of a K38G nanocrystalline (NC) thin film fabricated by magnetron sputtering technique has been investigated in comparison with cast K38G alloy in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results indicated that compared with the cast K38G alloy, the NC thin film had a higher occurring frequency of metastable pits and lower rates of stable pitting nucleation and growth. The influence of nanocrystallization on the pit initiation and pit growth processes has been discussed, respectively. (C) 2011 Published by Elsevier B.V,