Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu17.5 amorphous coatings reinforced with SiC particles were fabricated on magnesium substrates using laser cladding with the aim of improving the inherently poor corrosion and wear properties of magnesium. The formation of a reaction layer containing ZrC between SiC particles and the matrix of the glassy phase did not show any significant effects on the thermal stability of the matrix. The wear resistance of the composite coating, measured in terms of volumetric loss, was 2-7 times, and 90 times higher than that of the unreinforced coating and the magnesium substrate respectively. Although the electrochemical stability of the composite coating was inferior to that of the unreinforced coating, it still displayed excellent corrosion resistance. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.