PURPOSE: To simultaneously perform the baking of a coating layer and the formation of alumina whiskers and to obtain a catalyst carrier good in the adhesion and heat conductivity between a catalyst support layer and a metal base material according to a short manufacturing process by coating the surface of a metallic carrier base material composed of an aluminum-containing heat- resistant metallic material with a coating material and heat-treating the coated base material in oxygen-containing gas.

CONSTITUTION: The surface of a metal carrier base material composed of an aluminum-containing heat-resistant metallic material or a heat-resistant metal material having a metal aluminum layer on the surface thereof is coated with a coating material composed of activated alumina (coating method to be used: a known method such as a wash coat method). Subsequently, the obtained coated metallic base material is heat-treated at 850 - 1,000°C. By this method, both of the baking of activated alumina and the formation of alumina whiskers are performed simultaneously and an excellent metallic carrier for a catalyst without such problem as release is obtained. A catalyst component for purifying exhaust gas is supported by this carrier to form a catalyst used in the purifica tion of a harmful component.