Nb) were oxidized at 950• C in dry and humid (11 vol% water) synthetic air. Thermogravimetric measurements showed that the oxidation rates of the tested intermetallics were lower in humid air than in dry air (especially for Fe 3 Al-Zr,Mo and Fe 3 Al-Zr,Mo,Nb). The addition of small amounts of Zr, Mo or Nb improved the kinetics compared with that of the undoped Fe 3 Al. Fe 3 Al showed massive spallation, whereas Fe 3 Al-Zr, Fe 3 Al-Zr,Mo and Fe 3 Al-Zr,Mo,Nb produced a flat, adherent oxide layer. The rapid transformation of transient alumina into alpha alumina may explain the decrease in the oxidation rate in humid air.