The coating material consisted of aqueous slurry of dolomite, bauxite and silicon carbide mixture. Such a coating material when applied superficially on the steel surface not only enhances oxidation resistance but also helps in inhibiting the decarburization even up to 1250 degrees C. Metalloscope, XRD and TG-DTA thermal analysis revealed that the formation of a newly densified coating comprised of spinels and the reducing atmosphere formed by the oxidation of SiC improved the resistance of oxidation and decarburization. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.