The influence of the quantity of the Mg2Sn phase on the corrosion behavior of different solution temperature treated Mg-7Sn magnesium alloy has been investigated by electrochemical measurements, scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. With the increase of solution temperature, the quantity of Mg2Sn phase decreased and the tin concentration of matrix increased. The dissolved tin in Mg matrix took part in the film formation and the constituent of film was magnesium oxide and stannic oxide. The corrosion mode and corrosion rate were associated with the quantity of Mg2Sn phases and tin concentration of the matrix. If most of tin was present as Mg2Sn, the corrosion mode was pitting corrosion and it accelerated the corrosion rate. If most of tin was dissolved in matrix, the corrosion mode was filiform corrosion and it decreased the corrosion rate. The experiment evidences demonstrated that the corrosion resistance can be improved by increasing the tin concentration of matrix and the lowest corrosion rate was observed for sample solution treated at 540 degrees C. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.