In this study, the oxidation kinetics of low-carbon, low-silicon steel in flowing air at 850-1,180°C within 30 or 60 s were examined. The parabolic kinetics were established from the very early stage at 850°and 1,000°C, whereas the oxidation kinetics at 1,100-1,180°C appeared to obey a linear law initially and a more-parabolic one at a later stage. When the oxidation kinetics followed the linear law, ''rough''-scale with an undulating, saw-teeth like microstructure developed, whereas when the parabolic law was followed, smooth scale developed. It appeared that a critical scale thickness existed, at which the scale-growth mechanism changed from linear to parabolic. This thickness was less than 7 lm at 850°C, about 10 lm at 1,000°C, about 50 lm at 1,100°C and in the range of 60-80 lm at 1,180°C under the conditions examined. Blister formation at 900°C prevented clear observation of the linear-to-parabolic transition.