The invention includes a low activity localized aluminide coating for a metallic article made by positioning a coating material, preferably in the form of a tape, on a portion of the article. The coating material comprises a binder, a halide activator, an aluminum source, and an inert ceramic material. The coating material and the article are heated in an inert atmosphere between about 1800.degree. F. (982.degree. C.) and about 2050.degree. F. (1121.degree. C.) for between about four and about seven hours thereby producing a low activity localized aluminide coating having an outward diffusion aluminide coating microstructure characterized by two distinct zones, an inner diffusion zone and an outer zone including between about 20-28 percent, by weight, aluminum.