This study focuses on the characterization of the oxide scales formed after different exposure times in the range of 2.5-20 min. A commercially available ferritic steel grade AISI 441 was exposed to wet argon at 1100°C with 5, 9 and 13% H 2 O. Raman microspectroscopy, XRD, EDS and XPS were used to fully characterize the oxide scale. For all samples exposed for over 4 min, the scale was constituted of three layers in this order: a thin top layer of spinel phases (Fe,Cr,Mn) 3 O 4 with local outgrowths; a second and main layer of Cr 2 O 3 ? (Mn,Cr) 3 O 4 ; and finally a bottom layer of SiO 2 . The uncommon presence of Fe in the top layer was also observed.