Corrosion prevention of magnesium surfaces via surface conversion treatments using ionic liquids

A method for conversion coating a magnesium-containing surface, the method comprising contacting the magnesium-containing surface with an ionic liquid compound under conditions that result in decomposition of the ionic liquid compound to produce a conversion coated magnesium-containing surface having a substantially improved corrosion resistance relative to the magnesium-containing surface before said conversion coating, wherein said decomposition results in breakage of one or more covalent bonds in a cationic or anionic component of the ionic liquid, wherein said conditions comprise tribological treatment of the magnesium-containing surface during contact of the magnesium-containing surface with said ionic liquid compound.