We conducted constant volume molecular dynamics simulations of water confined by stainless steel slabs. We used polarizable shell model for both the oxide slabs and the water molecules, with non-Coulombic intermolecular forces modelled by Buckingham potentials. Time-averaged trajectories clearly showed the presence of layering in the density of the water molecules perpendicular to the slabs. There was also a corresponding ordering in orientation of the water molecules perpendicular to the slabs. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.