The structures of chemical conversion coatings in permanganate bath on magnesium alloys have been studied using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and microscopic examination. We applied chemical-conversion treatment by immersing a specimen in a bath in which potassium permanganate was the main component, with a concentration of 20 mol/m(3), along with additives such as HNO3 and HF for an acid bath and Na2B4O7 and HCl for a neutral or an alkaline bath. We performed salt spray tests to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloy undergoing chemical conversion.