Abstract The influence of the surface application of active elements on the composition, morphology, adherence, and growth rate of oxide scales formed during high temperature exposure has been investigated. The active elements were applied as aqueous solutions of nitrate salts that were subsequently transformed into oxide. The active elements used were: Y, Ce, La, Hf, Ca, and Zr. The chromia-forming substrates used were AISI 304 and 310 stainless steels and IN 738, a nickel base alloy. To determine the effect of the minor alloying elements in stainless steels on the surface doping effect, Y was applied to three alloy modifications of AISI 304. The effect of the presence or absence of Mn and Si in the alloy on high temperature corrosion behavior was determined. Several different application techniques were used to determine which technique was most beneficial to the behavior of the oxide barrier scale. The application of Y, Ce, and La was found to enhance the oxidation resistance of the commercial stainles...