Additions of 1-3 at.% of rhenium can considerably improve the properties of MCrAlY coatings, in particular the endurance of high-temperature fatigue. As only limited information exists about the role of rhenium in the metallurgy of MCrAlY, microstructural investigations have been undertaken to study the phases present in the 'as-coated' condition and also after long-term high-temperature exposure. The methods used for investigation were optical metallography and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Qualitative and quantitative evaluations show that rhenium has a complex influence on the phase equilibria in the coatings. To prove the influence of Re and Al on the thermal mechanical fatigue properties. TMF tests have been carried out.