The influence of the gaseous phase composition (SiH 4 or SiCI 4 diluted wnh argon or hydrogen), used for chemical vapor depesmon of silicon onto two c1ifferent substrates (pure iron or low chromium mild steal) is investigated. Depending on tie chosen process, two types of coatings are developed: either a very adherent, non-porous solid solution containing up to 6 to 7 wt. % SI, or a FesSi iron silicide (14.35 wt. %). The solid solution coating considerably improves the oxidation resistance properties of steels at temperatures up to 8OO'C. This beneficlal effect was not observed on the corrosion behavior of treated samples in suHuric acid solutions. In contrast, the FesSi iron silicide hall the same outstanding corrosion resistance that the silicon-rich cast alloys have in very severe environments such as boiling concentrated sulfuric acid. But this remarkable behavior ls certainly limned in other mediums by the open porosity of the coating, inherent to the chemical vapor process.