The solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) interconnect performance of Crofer 22 APU [Crofer 22 APU "High Temperature Alloy" MSDS No. 8005 June, 2004 ThyssenKrupp VDM (2004)] with and without protective large area filtered arc coatings [V. I. Gorokhovsky, R. Bhattacharya, and D. G. Bhat, Surf. Coat. Technol., 140, 82 (2001)] from the Cr-Al-O-N elemental system has been investigated as a function of exposure to simulated SOFC cathode-gas phase conditions at 800 degrees C. Area specific resistance (ASR) was measured using a four-point probe method with platinum paste as an electrical contact. The sample surface morphology and chemical composition were assessed using scanning electron microscope/energy-dispersive spectroscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectroscopy. Significantly improved surface stability and ASR were observed for coated vs uncoated samples. Changes in coating composition and/or architecture were also observed to influence the SOFC interconnect relevant performance.