Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are electrically connected in series to obtain high electrical output using metallic foils as interconnects. Interconnect materials must exhibit the following properties :(1)Good oxidation resistance (2) Dense and adherent oxide scale formation. (3) Matching thermal expansion coefficient with anode, cathode of SOFC.  (4) Low electrical resistance. (5) Low cost.
             Fe-Cr and Ni-Cr metal alloys have been widely used as interconnect materials. However, due to high operating temperatures (around 800^oC), these materials readily oxidize, forming chromia and chromium-containing oxide scale. The oxide scales exhibit high electrical resistance and tend to spall off, both of which make the use of above alloys as interconnect materials problematic without the application of effective ceramic coatings. Prospective ceramic coatings must exhibit low electronic resistivity but a very high resistance to oxygen transport. Many perovskite or spinels are potential candidates as coatings, provided oxygen transport is suppressed through effective doping.  
            Metal alloy foils were sputter deposited with ceramic coatings of desired thickness. Coated foils along with uncoated foils were oxidized in furnace at 800^oC for various periods of time and subsequently characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Area specific resistance (ASR) was measured using a DC technique. It was observed that coated foils were very effective in suppressing oxidation kinetics as compared to uncoated foils. Oxidation of coated foils exhibits linear behavior unlike uncoated foils which follows parabolic behavior.