AbstractBinary magnesium alloys containing chromium, manganese, or titanium were made using a physical vapour deposition technique. The corrosion resistance of the alloys was assessed in aqueous chloride solutions using total immersion tests in quiescent 600 mmol L−1NaCI solutions. Alloying with manganese or titanium was found to lower the corrosion rate of magnesium over most of the compositional ranges of interest, whereas addition of chromium had a detrimental effect on the corrosion resistance of magnesium. The lowest corrosion rate was recorded for a Mg–Ti alloy where the value obtained was about 80 times lower than that found for vapour deposited pure magnesium. Open circuit corrosion potential measurements conducted in 600 mmol L−1NaCl solution showed that additions of chromium, titanium, and manganese also produced deposits which were significantly more noble than pure magnesium, suggesting that these alloys would be less susceptible to galvanic corrosion.MST/3064