The effect of phase composition on corrosion behavior of ternary magne
sium-based alloys of the Mg-Y-A1 system under anodic polarization cond
itions has been studied. The dissolution rate of the alloys has been s
hown to be determined by the character and electrochemical properties
of intermetallic phases inherent in the alloys. They affect the activi
ty of pitting dissolution of the metal, depending on their characteris
tic hydrogen overpotential.