Inverse gas chromatography (IGC) was used to determine the surface properties (dispersive component of surface energy and surface area) developed by the oxide layers of stainless steel chromatographic columns. Clear differences are noted depending on the treatments (passivation, electropolishing, polyacrylic acid coating) of the columns. The passivated column possesses higher surface energy than the electropolished column. The surface area developed by the oxide layer on the inner wall of the passivated tubing exceeds significantly the one of the electropolished tubing. The polyacrylic acid coating diminishes both the dispersive and polar interaction potentials of the treated tubing. IGC appears to be a very suitable method for the characterization of the properties of the metallic surfaces.