Thermal barrier coating (TBC) systems, needed for higher thrust with increased efficiency in gas turbines, typically consist of an alumina-scale forming metallic bond coat and a ceramic topcoat. The durability and reliability of TBC systems are critically linked to the oxidation behavior of the bond coat. Ideally, the bond coat should oxidize to form a slow-growing, non-porous and adherent thermally grown oxide (TGO) scale layer of alpha-Al2O3. The ability to promote such ideal TGO formation depends critically on the composition and microstructure of the bond coat, together with the presence of minor elements (metal and non-metal) that with time diffuse into the coating from the substrate during service. An experimental program was undertaken to attain a more detailed fundamental understanding of the phase equilibria in the Ni-Al-Pt system and the influences of alloy composition on the formation, growth and spallation behavior of the resulting TGO scales formed during isothermal and thermal cycling tests at 1150degreesC. Additional studies were conducted to determine the influence of platinum on interdiffusion behavior in the Ni-Al system, and how this influence would impact coating/substrate interdiffusion. It will be shown that platinum has a profound effect on the oxidation and interdiffusion behaviors, to the extent that novel advanced coating systems can be developed.