Variables affecting the high temperature oxidation of steel were investigated using an experimental design strategy. The experimental methods included continuous mass-gain measurement to characterize the oxidation kinetics in terms of parabolic rate constants. A Morris and Mitchell (1983) eleven-run experimental design was used to identify main effects and interactions among seven independent variables (oxidation temperature, steel grade, steel surface condition, sample history and gas composition : H2O, O-2 and CO2). The levels of these variables were chosen to reflect industrial steel reheat operations. The use of this type of strategy in assessing the effect of variables at an intermediate stage in an experimental program is also demonstrated.