Tafel polarization curve and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques were employed to investigate the corrosion behavior of AZ40 magnesium alloy in simulated sea water. The surface morphology of the alloy during exposure was observed with an optical microscope and a scanning electron microscope. The pH variation of bulk solution during corrosion was recorded. The results show that the major corrosin forms of AZ40 magnesium alloy in simulated sea water were characterized by pitting and filliform corrosion. The corrosion occurs spontanesously. The insovable corrosion products, which precip it ate on the alloy surface were characterized by porsity and hetorogeneity, indicating that these products can not prerent further alloy corrosion. Therefore, the corrosion of AZ40 magnesium alloy spreads rapidly and the alloy surface is destroyed severely during short exposure period. 