Known protective layers having a high Cr content, as well as silicon, have brittle phases that become additionally brittle under the influence of carbon during use. A protective layer that has the composition of 32% to 35% cobalt, 10% to 13% aluminum, 0.1% to 0.3% yttrium, and/or at least one equivalent metal from the group comprising scandium and the rate earth elements, 31% to 35% chromium, 0.1% to 0.5% silicon and the remainder nickel is provided.