In this paper, Cu, Al and Ni were plated on the AB(5)-5 mass% LaMg3 composite hydrogen storage alloy using a vacuum evaporation plating method. The phase structure and the electrochemical properties were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that the phase structure is not changed obviously after the plating Cu, Al and Ni on the composites. The electrochemical tests show that maximum discharge capacity, high rate dischargeability (HRD), dischargeability at low temperature and cyclic stability was improved by vacuum evaporation plating Cu, Al and Ni. Maximum of discharge capacity of the AB5-5 mass% LaMg3 composite alloy plating Ni can reach 351 mAh/g, which is 3.5% higher than that of the untreated. HRD at I-d = 1200 mA/g of the composite alloy plating Cu is 45.0% of that at 60 mA/g, which is 20.4% higher than the untreated. Discharge capacity of the composite alloy plating Cu at low temperature 233 K is 205 mAh/g, which is 57.3% of that at 298 K, and it is much higher than 36.8% of the untreated composites. The discharge capacity retention of the composite alloy plating Al after 200 cycles is 7.8% higher than the untreated. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.