The present study focuses on the influence of tin coated hydroxyapatite (HA) particles reinforced in Mg-5 wt.% Sn matrix on corrosion resistance. Electroless coating process has been used to coat hydroxyapatite particles with tin. From the results, it was understood that the electroless coating is a potential technique to successfully coat Sn on HA particles which helps in refinement of grains and uniform distribution of phases. It also prevents the dissociation of HA, thereby formation of unwanted phases such as CaSn which could be detrimental for corrosion properties due to galvanic coupling. The biodegradation was reduced by the addition of Sn coated HA in comparison with reinforcement of uncoated HA particles. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd