NOVELTY - Creating an aluminum diffusion surface layer within a fuel cell component comprises applying a slurry coating to a surface of a fuel cell component, the slurry coating comprising a metallic aluminum alloy, a halogen activator, and a binder; and heating the fuel cell component to diffuse aluminum from the slurry coating into the fuel cell component to form an aluminum diffusion surface layer within the fuel cell component.    USE - The method is useful for creating aluminum diffusion surface layer within fuel cell component. The oxidation resistant component is useful in fuel cell (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The invention provides fuel cell components formed from a relatively low cost material that may reduce chromium contamination within fuel cell.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - Creating an aluminum diffusion surface layer within a fuel cell component comprises applying a slurry coating to a surface of a fuel cell component, the slurry coating comprising a metallic aluminum alloy, a halogen activator, and a binder; and heating the fuel cell component to diffuse aluminum from the slurry coating into the fuel cell component to form an aluminum diffusion surface layer within the fuel cell component, where the aluminum diffusion surface layer comprises an intermetallic aluminum-containing phase having a thickness of greater than 200 micrometers, where the fuel cell component is formed from a base metal being substantially free from both nickel and cobalt and comprising up to about 27% chromium by weight. An INDEPENDENT CLAIM is an oxidation resistant component for use in a fuel cell, comprising a base metal configured as a fuel cell component, the base metal being substantially free from nickel and cobalt and comprising up to about 27% chromium by weight; and an aluminum diffusion surface layer extending below a surface of the base metal, the aluminum diffusion surface layer comprises intermetallic aluminum-containing phase having a thickness of greater than 200 micrometers.