A study on the electroless Ni-P deposition on WE43 magnesium alloy

► Deposition process is divided into steps of the thin film formation and the bulk coating. ►Replacement reaction between Ni and Mg at the early stages of the coating promotes Ni nucleation and growth. ► Autocatalytic reaction plays the major role after nuclei formation and is the main mechanism of the bulk coating. ► Although microstructural changes during annealing treatment improves microhardness of the coating but deteriorates its corrosion resistance.