ABSTRACTThe surface layer modification of 2cr13 steel samples was carried out by ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP) in this work. The surface integrity of the sample and its effect on corrosion fatigue properties were analyzed. The results indicated that a compressive residual stress (CRS) field and hardness gradient field were formed on the surface of the sample after USRP, and the roughness of the modified surface layer with refined microstructure was reduced to different degrees. The corrosion fatigue life of all ultrasonic rolled samples had been improved to some extent, among which the life of S2 sample with the optimum surface integrity was about 40 times higher than that of non‐rolled sample. High CRS and ultra‐fine grain microstructure in the surface layer significantly inhibited the occurrence of pitting and the initiation of corrosion fatigue cracks on the surface, which were the determining factors for improving the corrosion fatigue life of 2Cr13 stainless steel.