In an attempt to reduce the oxidation and Cr evaporation rates, various protective coating layers with a nominal composition of NiCo2-xFexO4 (x = 0, 0.5, 1) were deposited on the SUS 430 ferritic stainless steel substrate, as interconnect for solid oxide fuel cell application, by sol-gel dip coating method. Then, the coated samples were soaked at 750 degrees C for 2.5 h in N-2 and subsequently for 2.5 h in air. Phase composition and microstructure of the coatings were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, long-term isothermal oxidation experiment and area specific resistance (ASR) measurement were also carried out on the coated samples. Results showed that the addition of 1 mol of Fe into Ni-Co spinel (x = 1), led to a parabolic rate constant of 5.16 x 10(-15)(g(2) cm(-4) s(-2)) and an ASR of 17 m Omega cm(2). Copyright (C) 2013, Hydrogen Energy Publications, LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.