Electroless Ni-P coating containing ZrO2 particles was successfully co-deposited on low carbon steel substrate. The surface and cross-sectional micrographs of the composite coatings were observed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). And the chemical composition of the coating was analyzed with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The oxidation resistance was evaluated by weight gains during high temperature oxidation test. The results showed that the embedded ZrO2 particles with irregular shape uniformly distributed in the entire Ni-P matrix, and the coating showed a good adhesion to the substrate. The weight gain curves of Ni-P-ZrO2 composite coatings and Ni-P coating at 923K oxidation experiments were in accordance with . The ZrO2 particles in Ni-P matrix could significantly enhance the high temperature oxidation resistance of the carbon steel substrate as compared to pure Ni-P coating.