Sol-gel coatings were deposited from a Phenyl-triethoxysilane precursor for corrosion protection on magnesium samples. Film porosity was measured with potentiodynamic scans and the coating's structure was characterized with secondary ion mass spectrometry and X-ray diffraction analysis. At the interface between substrate and coating a magnesium silicate layer was found which was formed by interdiffusion during the deposition process. The coated samples showed a good corrosion resistance and low porosity after heating at comparatively low temperature. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.