Machinability is widely used to compare materials from their ability to give rise to a certain surface finish at the lowest possible tool cost, by using mainly continuous cutting tests such as turning-based tests. Nevertheless, in AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel it is justified to use a broader concept of machinability that also considers the influence of microstructural changes, induced by machining, on the pitting corrosion behaviour. Keywords: AISI 316L; Machinability; Orthogonal milling; Pitting corrosion.