Abstract Pitting corrosion resistance of two austenitic stainless steels, 18Cr8Ni (Type 304L or UNS S30403 stainless steel) and 17Cr6Mn5Ni, was evaluated in three electrolytic solutions containing a fixed concentration of 0.6M sodium chloride and different additions of sodium sulfate, 0.06M, 0.15M or 0.6M. Cyclic potentiodynamic polarization tests were performed on as-received samples and on specimens annealed at 1010°C, 1040°C, 1070°C or 1100°C. The best pitting corrosion resistance was presented by the 17Cr6Mn5Ni steel annealed at 1070°C or 1100°C, with lower delta ferrite contents, in the electrolyte with the highest sulfate concentration. It can be found that the addition of sodium sulfate inhibits pitting corrosion and has a better inhibitor effect in the high manganese steel.