Protective composite coatings were prepared on magnesium alloy AZ91D by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment plus a top coating with sealing agent using multi-immersion technique under low-pressure conditions. The corrosion resistance of AZ91D alloy with composite coatings was superior evidently to that with merely MAO film. SEM observations revealed that the sealing agent was integrated with MAO film by physically interlocking; therewith covered uniformly the surface as well as penetrated into pores and rnicro-cracks of MAO film. The anti-corrosion properties in 3.5% NaCl solution of the composite coatings were evaluated by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization measurements. Based on the results of chronopotentiometric (E similar to t) and EIS measurements for long time immersion in 3.5% NaCl solution, appropriate equivalent circuits for the composite coatings system were proposed. It follows that due to the blocking effect of the sealing agent in pores and cracks in MAO film, the composite coatings can suppress the corrosion process by holding back the transfer or diffusion of electrolyte and corrosion products between the composite coatings and solution during immersion. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.