Copper nickel diffusion layer could be formed as electrolessly nickel-plated copper was heat- treated at 800℃ for 4 hours under Ar atmosphere. The thickness of CuNi diffusion layer is dependent on the phosphorus content of the electroless nickel coating. The presence of phosphorus inhibits the formation of CuNi diffusion layer during heat treatment. The higher phosphorus content of electroless nickel coating results thinner diffusion layer of CuNi alloy. As P% exceeds 7wt%, the as-plated electroless nickel coating is amorphous. The precipitation of Ni and Ni3P during heat treatment were observed and adversely to the corrosion resistance in 3.5wt% NaC1 aqueous solution. However, formation of CuNi diffusion layer at the interface of coating and substrate shifts the corrosion potential towards more noble direction. The overall corrosion- resistant properties of heat-treated electrolessly nickel-plated copper depend on the compensation effect of crystalline electroless nickel layer and CuNi diffusion layer.