This paper studies the effect of the existing state of Y element on the high temperature oxidation resistance of magnesium alloys. Different levels of Al element were added into Mg-2.5Y alloy to obtain different existing state of Y. The oxidation rate of Mg-2.5Y-2.5Al alloy is the highest among Mg-2.5Y, Mg-2.5Y-2.5Al and Mg-2.5Y-4.2Al alloys at 500 degrees C. An effective and protective Y2O3/MgO composite oxide film was formed on the surface of Mg-2.5Y alloy after oxidized at 500 degrees C for 360 min. The results show that the dissolved Y element in the matrix was beneficial to improve the oxidation resistance of magnesium alloys. Once Y element transformed to the high temperature stable Al2Y compound, its ability in preventing oxidation would disappear. The formation of Al2Y compound severely deteriorated the oxidation resistance of Mg-2.5Y alloy. In addition, the dissolved Al can also cause the rise of oxidation resistance at a certain extent. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.