In order to improve oxidation resistance and long-term stability of the metallic interconnects and prevent the cathode of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) from Cr-poisoning, an effective, relatively dense and well adherent Mn-Co spinet protection coating with a nominal composition of MnCO2O4 is applied onto the surfaces of the SUS 430 ferritic stainless steel by a cost-effective sol-gel process. The long-term thermally cyclic oxidation kinetics and oxide scale structures as well as the composition of the coated SUS 430 alloy are investigated. The Mn-Co spinel protection layer demonstrates an excellent structural and thermomechanical stability, and effectively acts as a mass barrier to the outward diffusion of cations, especially Cr, and a lowered parabolic rate constant of k(p) = 1.951 X 10(-15) g(2) cm(-4) s(-1) is obtained. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.