AISI 430 ferritic stainless steel was used as a substrate to make catalytic monolithic structures. To increase the surface roughness of the substrate, the steel was oxidized at temperatures in the range of 900-940 degrees C and times in the range of 30-120 min. The oxide layer formed was characterized. Treatment at 940 degrees C for 60 min was found to be optimal for obtaining a Cr-rich rough oxide layer, with good adherence and homogeneity. Catalytic monoliths were prepared by dip-coating into four different slurries containing the Ni-Nb mixed oxide catalyst. The samples were characterized and tested in the oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) of ethane to ethylene. The structured catalysts were active for the ODH of ethane, with very good selectivity to ethylene. The catalytic performance was remarkably constant for 170 h on stream at 400 degrees C.