Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coatings were applied to base metal and dissimilar welded specimens to increase their corrosion resistance. The current density used to produce PEO coatings was found to affect the roughness, thickness and composition of the coating. An applied current density of 20 mA/cm(2) was found to be a suitable processing condition capable of yielding a uniform coating able to prevent the exposure of the galvanic couple and inhibit its detrimental influence on the corrosion resistance of the dissimilar welded specimen. (C) 2018 The Electrochemical Society.