Copper plated with nickel by electroplating or electroless plating shows better corrosion resistance in 3.5% NaCl aqueous solution, based upon electrochemical analytical and dipping test results. Copper-nickel alloy diffusion layer was identified by SEM, XRD for nickel-plated copper panel heat-treated at 800℃ for 3 hours under Ar atmosphere. Galvanic corrosion is easily induced due to precipitation of Ni and Ni3P throughout the electroless nickel coating after heat treatment. The overall corrosion resistance of electroless coating layer and diffusion layer is decreased. Intergranular corrosion was also observed in this sample by optical microscope observation. The corrosion resistance of as-deposited coating layer was related closely to the amount of the phosphorus. The higher phosphorus content, the better corrosion resistance. However, the thickness of copper-nickel diffusion layer is larger after heat treatment as nickel coating with lower phosphorus content, and leads to better corrosion resistance ability.