Austenitic SS316 sheet material, partly aluminized, was tested in static Pb17Li (83 at% Pb and 17 at% Li), at 500°C. After 1000 h of exposure polished cross sections of pieces of the sample with and without aluminization were analysed by electron microscopy and compared with the as-received sample. The unprotected surface revealed the expected depletion of alloying elements and the formation of a porous ferritic zone to a depth of ≈ 200 μm into which Pb has penetrated. The aluminized suface does not show any attack by Pb17Li nor penetration of Pb into the grain boundaries. An intermediate layer is found between the matrix and the aluminum surface layer, with distinct borders on either side, consisting of Al+Ni-rich areas, believed to be an AlNi alloy between Cr-rich areas. Quantitative analyses revealed identical concentrations of Al and Ni, for exposed as well as unexposed samples, indicating no counter diffusion to have taken place during the test.