Ni-P-carbon nanotube (CNT) composite coatings were fabricated successfully from a suspension of CNT in an electroless bath. The microhardness and corrosion behavior of the composite coatings were investigated. The electrochemical properties of the composite coatings were studied using electrochemical workstation system. The corrosion behavior of the amorphous Ni-P-CNT composite coatings was evaluated by polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 0.1 mol/l NaCl solution at room temperature. It was noted that the amorphous Ni-P-CNT composite coatings provided higher corrosion resistance than the amorphous Ni-P coating. The mechanism of improvement of the electrochemical properties of the electroless composite coatings was also discussed. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.