Abstract: The present invention is a method to treat an external layer on a steel or stainless steel substrate. More particularly the disclosure provides a method to increase the amount of manganochromite spinel (Cr2MnO4) in the outer most surface of a steel or a stainless steel. The present disclosure seeks to provide a process to prepare a treatment of an external surface on a steel or stainless steel substrate by subjecting the surface to an atmosphere of steam and air or synthetic air (a combination of oxygen and other inert gases such as nitrogen or argon) while subjecting the substrate to a static electrical charge from +7.0 to +14.0 kV. The present disclosure also seeks to provide the coated substrate.