Facile and fast fabrication of superhydrophobic surface on magnesium alloy

► A facile and fast method for fabricating superhydrophobic surface on AZ91D magnesium alloy is reported. ► The method could use the high and inhomogeneous magnesium alloy surface activity to gain a rough structures. ► The as-prepared superhydrophobic surface has effective anti-corrosion effect, delay-icing effect and self-cleaning effect. ► The presented method is low-cost, environmental-friendly and has great potential value in large-scale industry production.