The corrosion behavior of pure Mg in NH4+-containing alkaline solutions was studied by immersion test, electrochemical methods, morphology observation and corrosion product analysis. The results showed that the corrosion of Mg was dramatically accelerated by NH4+, resulting in a thick and loose Mg(OH)(2) corrosion product film formed in the NH4+ containing alkaline solutions. It was proposed that the NH4+ could dissolve the relatively protective MgO layer in the corrosion product film, providing a path for the solution to reach the substrate and facilitating the corrosion of Mg.