The laser surface treatment of stainless steel (SS) 316L, an important alloy for biomedical applications, was used to improve its corrosion and wear-corrosion resistance in bio-environment. Microstructural and X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern analysis showed presence of an austenitic phase in both untreated and laser-treated SS316L. Laser melting produced homogenized and refined microstructure on the surface with higher hardness (143-171 HV) compared to untreated SS316L (131 HV). Increase in intensity of gamma (200) peaks in XRD pattern for laser-treated (> 800 W) SS316L indicated possible crystallographic orientation along gamma (200) plane. Passive currents were reduced to < 2.8 mu A/cm(2) and pitting potentials was increased to >+344 mV for samples laser surface treated at greater than 1200 W. The volume-loss and wear-rate of laser-treated SS316L were significantly reduced compared to untreated sample. Abrasive wear was the main wear mechanism for both untreated and laser surface treated SS316L. Wear particles/debris were found to be cold welded on the surface of SS316L and showed brittle cracking with further wear-straining.(c) 2005 Springer Science+ Business Media, Inc.