In this study, we discuss the evolution of area specific resistance (ASR) of SUS441 which was coated with MnCo2O4, La-doped MnCo2O4, and Ce-doped MnCo2O4, respectively. These systems are meant to simulate as protective layers for metallic interconnects in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) and were tested at 800 degrees C in 2 L/min air flow for 5600 h. The protective coatings were deposited by using pulsed DC magnetron sputtering and the thickness was 5.0 +/- 1.0 mu m. The compositions and microstructures were observed by SEM/EDS and XRD. Results show that a trace amount of La addition into MnCo2O4 is beneficial to keep stable electrical resistance and inhibit the growth of the oxide scale between the SUS441 substrate and the protective layer for this coating system. However, visible cracks can be seen in MnCo2O4 and Ce-doped MnCo2O4 specimens at the interfacial layer between the oxidation scale on SUS441 and the coatings after heat treatment at elevated temperatures. (C) 2020 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.