［Purposes］ The potential application of the nitride materials in proton exchange membrane fuel cell environment has been revealed, which also clarifies their corrosion resistance and conductivity mechanism.［Methods］ In this study, the nitride coatings were prepared on the surface of SS304 stainless steel by plasma vapor deposition technology. The morphologies and structures of the coatings were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray energy dispersive spectrum (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The corrosion resistance and conductivity of the coatings were evaluated by electrochemical test and interface contact resistance measurement.［Findings］ The coating was uniform and compact, which had certain hydrophobicity and strongly adhered to the substrate. It had effectively improved corrosion resistance of stainless steel in acidic solution, which had increased self-corrosion potential of the substrate with 187 mV. The open circuit potential of the coating was always higher than that of the substrate during the whole immersion in acid solution. The nitride coatings maintained good electrical conductivity before and after corrosion, and its interface contact resistance was also lower than that of the stainless steel substrate.［Conclusions］ The conductivity and corrosion resistance of nitride-coated SS304 stainless steel is significantly better than that of substrate, which is related to the good intrinsic chemical stability of the nitrides.