The interfacial compatibility of an alkaline earth silicate glass (SABS-0) with (Mn,Co)(3)O(4) coated Crofer 22 APU and AISI 441 interconnects has been investigated at 800 degrees C for 100 h in argon, air, and H(2)/H(2)O atmospheres. Detailed microstructural and diffusion studies show that the interfacial compatibility is better for the (Mn,Co)(3)O(4) coated Crofer 22 APU alloy but deteriorates from the H(2)/H(2)O to the air or the argon atmospheres for both alloys. Thermal treatment atmosphere mainly affects the inter-diffusion of Cr in the Crofer 22 APU alloy. The (Mn,Co)(3)O(4) layer cannot eliminate the undesirable Cr diffusion for the Crofer 22 APU alloy regardless of the thermal treatment atmosphere. The interfacial reaction for the AIS1 441/SABS-0 is so severe that the inter-diffusion of the elements is less significant. Oxidation of the AISI 441 alloy degrades the (Mn,Co)304 coating stability and increases the reaction of the coating with the SABS-0 glass, leading to inferior interfacial compatibility. (C) 2010 Professor T. Nejat Veziroglu. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.