A study of the oxldation and magnesium evaporation kinetics has been carried out on an aluminum-3% magnesium alloy. A metallographic examination of the surface oxide films produced was included. The alloy was oxidation resistant to 200~ At temperatures greater than 350~ the oxidation rate was initially inversely proportional to the oxide film thickness, transforming to a constant rate for long exposures.Selective oxidation of magnesium caused formation of aluminum inclusions in the surface oxide. These inclusions imparted a black discoloration to the alloy surface. Magnesium evaporated from the alloy in a vacuum at temperatures greater than 350~ after an induction period, the duration of which was dependent on the temperature.A comparison of the magnesium evaporation and alloy oxidation rates demonstrated that the oxide film offered resistance to oxidation of the metal.