The composition of the corrosion products of pure Zn galvanic coatings as well as of some zinc alloys (Zn-Mn and Zn-Co) after treatment in selected free aerated model media (5% NaCl and 1N Na2SO4) is studied and discussed. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigations are used for this purpose. It is concluded that the corrosion products (zinc hydroxide chloride hydrate in 5% NaCl and zinc hydroxide sulfates hydrates in 1N Na2SO4) play a very important role for the improved protective ability of the zinc alloys toward the iron substrate, compared to the pure Zn coatings. Another result is that, for a given medium, the corrosion products are one and the same for both alloys independently of the fact that the alloying component is electrically more positive or negative than the zinc. Some suggestions about the models of the appearance of these products and their protective influence are also discussed. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.