The Gordon Research Conferences (GRC) has provided, for over 75 years, the best conferences in a wide variety of scientific fields. The format is quite different from most professional meetings in many respects. The speakers are all invited, and extensive periods are provided for both the lectures and the post-lecture discussions. The speakers are chosen for their expertise, recent research advances, and/or novelty of approach. The participants, limited in number to about 130, all stay in college dormitories, have cafeteria-style meals together, and socialize during the free periods in the afternoon and late evening. This environment provides an international and diverse forum for scientific discussion, to identify research needs and opportunities, as well as fertile areas for developing innovative ideas concerning the conference topic.

Corrosion was one of the very first GRC topics; the first GRC on corrosion took place in 1941. As a result, the biennial GRC on High Temperature Corrosion has a rich tradition, is well supported and regularly attended by the best researchers in the field. Typically about 20-30% of the attendees are graduate students; the GRC format is particularly beneficial for graduate students and other young researchers because of the ready access to the leaders in the field from around the world. All conference delegates are encouraged to present posters describing their own work. The posters are displayed in the area where most of the socializing occurs, so there is plenty of time and opportunity for detailed technical discussions.

Enormous progress in the understanding of the fundamental aspects of High Temperature Corrosion in recent years has lead to dramatic improvements in life time of high temperature components and efficiencies of, for example, chemical processes, combustion engines and energy conversion systems. This has been achieved by a combination of approaches, including improved methods for quantifying corrosion processes, the development of new materials, modification of existing materials, new coating concepts involving new coating compositions and manufacturing techniques. However, continuing demands for a more economical and ecologically friendly use of raw materials and the need for increasing energy supplies foster the development of new, more efficient technologies. Improved efficiencies require higher operating temperatures, while eco-friendly energy technologies have seen the introduction of energy conversion systems that use bio-fuels and fossil fuel plants with oxy-fuel combustion and CO₂-sequestration. These developments can only be successful if materials concepts are available that are able to operate under such extreme service conditions. Many of these material concepts are at the limit of current understanding and knowledge. The 2009 Gordon Conference on High Temperature Corrosion focuses on material performance at these limits of service and will include oxidation and corrosive environments at high operating temperatures, developments in reliable life prediction methods that allow estimation of component life as function of operating conditions, developments in new coating technologies and the application of new research tools to better understand high temperature corrosion.