The electrochemical corrosion of plasma spray Ni-coated WC cermet coatings, after laser treatment, has been studied in 3.5% NaCl solution through immersion test. The main corrosion mechanism for as-sprayed coating is the galvanic corrosion between coating and substrate, resulting in the detachment of coating from substrate, while the homogeneous corrosion occurs for the laser treatment coating. However, the corrosion trace for the as-sprayed pure coating could not be found. It is found that the electrochemical corrosion has been found heavily depending on the galvanic corrosion between the coating and the substrate. The defects, such as pores and laminar structures in the coating, could act as the infiltration paths of the electrolyte. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.