In this paper, we showed the erosion characteristic of MgO protector layer releated to lifetime of plasma display panel(PDP). We observed MgO erosion characteristic as a functions of deposition conditions, pressure and distance between electrodes. In RIE condition of Xe gas, the lowest erosion rate appears in the conditions of no heating bias voltage -30V and pressure 5mtorr. In general, as deposition rate increases, erosion rate decreases. In real panel, when the gap distance between electrodes is narrow and the pressure is low, the heavy plasma damage appears. Also, the surfaces between electrodes and on the bus electrode are extremely damaged.