PURPOSE: To obtain a metal carrier excellent in the adhesion of a catalyst coating layer by coating the foil surface of the metal carrier with a porous layer based on alumina fixed by heat treatment at definite temp.

CONSTITUTION: A precoat layer 2 is provided to the surface of the foil 1 of a metal carrier. The precoat layer 2 is formed by applying a slurry based on alumina and containing a rare earth element or zirconium if necessary and deflocculated by acid such as nitric acid or hydrochloric acid by a dip coating method or a suction coating method. Thereafter, the metal carrier is heated to temp. from 70°C to the m.p. thereof to form a porous layer wherein the foil 1 and the precoat layer 2 are sufficiently fixed. Finally, a catalyst coating layer 3 is provided to the precoat layer 2. Therefore, the adhesion of the catalyst coating layer and the carrier is enhanced and a long life catalyst generating no peeling is obtained.