Electrocodeposition of Sm and Co on a Cu substrate was investigated in a molten LiCl-KCl-SmCl3 (0.5 mol.%)-CoCl2 (0.1 mol.%) system at 723 K. Phase of the deposited Sm-Co alloys could be controlled by electrolysis potential. SmCo3 was formed on a Cu substrate by potentiostatic electrolysis in the potential range of 0.20-0.90 V (vs. Li+/Li). Sm2Co17 was obtained in the potential range of 0.90-1.50 V. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.