Micro-arc oxidation films are fabricated on the surface of AZ31B magnesium alloy in the Na2SiO3 electrolyte. The mechanical performance of magnesium alloy bonding with the adhesive is examined by single lap-shear test, and the morphology and composition of the oxidation film are characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The data indicate that the increase of Na2SiO3 solution concentration results in the decrease of bonding strength of magnesium alloy joints, while the porosity has no directly relation with the variation of the lap-shear strength. The results also show that Na2SiO3 participates into the film formation and the fabricated film is mainly composed of MgO and Mg2SiO4. In particular, with the increase of Na2SiO3 solution concentration, the content of MgO decreased while that of Mg2SiO4 increased. Moreover, MgO could initiate the formation of the hydroxyl group, which potentially enhances surface wettability and hydrogen bonding with the adhesive. This rationale is strongly supported by the results of Fourier Transform infrared spectra (FUR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and contact angle measuring. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.