Protective Coatings Research Articles

Tailoring structure, morphology, and tribo-mechanical properties of HiPIMS-deposited CrxNy coatings for enhanced performance in wear and corrosion protection

During reactive sputtering of CrxNy, precise regulation of nitrogen gas is crucial to control the properties of the deposited coating. In the present work, we investigate the influence of nitrogen content on CrxNy characteristics, including morphology, crystalline structure, hardness, corrosion protection, and wear protection performances. Our findings reveal that the hexagonal Cr2N coatings, although slightly lower in hardness (19 GPa) compared to stoichiometric CrN, exhibit superior corrosion resistance with a protection efficiency of 82%, and a reduced sliding wear behavior at 1.35E-09 mm3/N/m. Conversely, stoichiometric CrN shows the highest hardness at 22.8 GPa. Using high-power impulsed magnetron sputtering as a deposition technique, we were able to design CrxNy protective coatings with desired microstructure and phase composition, enabling the production of performance-tailored CrxNy coatings suitable for a diverse range of applications.

Metal cation crosslinked, partially reduced graphene oxide membranes with enhanced stability for high salinity, produced water treatment by pervaporative separation

Graphene oxide (GO)-based membranes hold significant promise for applications ranging from energy storage to protective coatings, to saline water and produced water treatment, owing to their chemical stability and unique barrier properties achieving a high selectivity for water permeation. However, unmodified GO membranes are not stable when submerged in liquid water, creating challenges with their commercial utilization in aqueous filtration and pervaporation applications. To mitigate this, we develop an approach to modify GO membranes through a combination of low temperature thermal reduction and metal cation crosslinking. We demonstrate that Zn2+–rGO and Fe3+–rGO membranes had the highest permeation flux of 8.3 ± 1.5 l m−2 h−1 and 7.0 ± 0.4 l m−2 h−1, for saline water separation, respectively, when thermally reduced after metal cross-linking; These membranes maintained a high flux of 7.5 ± 0.7 l m−2 h−1, and 5.5 ± 0.3 l m−2 h−1 for produced water separation, respectively. All the membranes had a salt rejection higher than 99%. Fe3+ crosslinked membranes presented the highest organic solute rejections for produced water of 69%. Moreover, long term pervaporation testing was done for the Zn2+–rGO membrane for 12 h, and only a minor drop of 6% in permeation flux was observed, while Zn2+–GO had a drop of 24%. Both modifiers significantly enhanced the stability with Fe3+–rGO membranes displaying the highest mechanical abrasion resistance of 95% compared to non-reduced and non-crosslinked GO. Improved stability for all samples also led to higher selectivity to water over organic contaminants and only slightly reduced water flux across the membrane.

High-Performance Polyurea Improved by Reactive Nanocluster for Antibiofouling.

Polyurea has found applications in protective coatings. Yet, the too fast polymerization and lack of functions limit its application. Herein, we report a high-performance polyurea via the stepwise polymerization of an isocyanate (NCO)-terminated prepolymer consisting of poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol) (PPG-b-PEG-b-PPG) with a nanocluster synthesized via the hydrolysis of N-phenylaminomethyltriethoxysilane. Such a nanocluster contains low-reactivity secondary amines, so the polymerization of polyurea can be slowed down (over 1 h), which improves its wetting and adhesion to a substrate. The residual silanol groups on the nanocluster further increase the adhesion. Such polyurea exhibits high adhesion on various substrates, including glass, ceramic, steel, copper, titanium, wood, and natural rubber (∼2.35-14.64 MPa). Besides, the nanoclusters can cross-link the prepolymer into a tough network, endowing the polyurea with a high mechanical strength of ∼25 MPa, much higher than the traditional polyaspartic ester polyurea. On the other hand, the PEG segments enable the polyurea to have good fouling resistance against proteins (fibrinogen absorption was reduced by over 90%), bacteria (RBA of S. aureusE. coli and Pseudomonas sp. was less than 10%), as well as diatom (diatom density was less than 100 cells/mm2). The polyurea is expected to find applications in biomedical engineering and marine antifouling.

Development and characterization of fly ash enriched epoxy coatings for corrosion protection in deep sea water

Fly ash (FA) has recently received increasing attention as inexpensive and readily abundant filler for development of epoxy-based anticorrosive coatings. In the present investigation a series of FA enriched epoxy coatings (FECs) has been developed and investigated for their anticorrosive behaviour under immersion in DSW (pH 8.2) over 48 h. The development of FECs was conducted through enrichment of FA ranging 0 to 80 phr (parts of FA per 100 g of epoxy) into epoxy matrix. The formation of FECs was ascertained through spectral, thermal, electrical and microscopic methods. Electrochemical impedance spectra in coherence with DC polarization measurements reveal enhanced corrosion protection efficiency (83 %) of FECs derived at 40 phr enrichment of FA. Enrichment of FA (phr) ranging 40 to 60 has rendered fair (0.01) to moderate (0.05) resistance (mm/year) to FECs against pitting corrosion in DSW. Whereas, FECs derived at 60 phr of FA has shown promising electrical behaviour, moderate heat resistance (TG onset 200 °C with 94.70 % weight residue) with enhanced limiting oxygen index (38.50 %). FECs developed in the present investigation may find their possible applications as anticorrosive coatings sustainable in DSW over 48 h.

A wide range of modified alkyd resins based on a new source of dicarboxylic acid as a binder for anticorrosive paint

Purpose This paper aims to prepare alkyd protective paint by using modified alkyd with 3,6-dichloro benzo[b]thiophene-2-carbonyl glutamic acid (DCBTGA) as a source of dicarboxylic acid and evaluating their anticorrosive properties compared with those of unmodified alkyd coatings for steel protection. Design/methodology/approach Short, medium and long oil alkyds, which represented as (0, 10, 20 and 30% excess-OH) according to the resin constants (Patton, 1962), were prepared through a condensation polymerization reaction via a solvent process in a one-step reaction. The modification of alkyd was carried out by using DCBTGA as a source of dicarboxylic acid. The prepared modified alkyd was confirmed by IR and NMR spectral analysis. The physicochemical, mechanical and anticorrosion performance properties of the considered modified coating formulations against unmodified blank coating were studied to confirm their application efficiency. Findings The best results in terms of physicochemical, mechanical and anticorrosion performance properties were found according to the following of this order activity: 30 replacements of the modifier (DCBTGA) for each hydroxyl continent were 30% Ex-OH > 20% Ex-OH > 10% Ex-OH > 0% Ex-OH, compared with that formulation containing unmodified alkyd, especially with increasing the modifier percent. Originality/value The prepared DCBTGA-modified resins can be used for different applications based on the type of alkyd and application.

SYNTHESIS OF COPOLYMERS FOR PROTECTIVE COATINGS

Copolymers were obtained in this work and the methodology for their synthesis was worked out. Various fillers were selected for the polymer coating. Resulting copolymers have good adhesion required for composite protective coatings. An experiment was conducted to determine the corrosion resistance of metals coated with copolymers when exposed to aggressive environments, as well as to determine the hardness and thickness of the polymer coatings obtained. It was found that the polymer coating filled with bronze powder, despite the small thickness of 43.4 μm, hasthe best adhesion and corrosion properties, as well as having the highest hardness values of 80.5 HB. Such physical and mechanical properties of polymer coatings allow them to be used as protective coatings for metal products working under the influence of aggressive media.

Durable graphene-based alkyd nanocomposites for surface coating applications.

Recently, the scientific community's main goal is the long-term sustainability. Vegetable oils are easily accessible, non-depletable, and cost-effective materials. Vegetable oils are used to prepare polymeric alkyd surfaces. Novel and exciting designs of alkyd/graphene nanocomposites have provided eco-friendly thermal stability and protective coating surfaces. This review has briefly described important graphene-based alkyd nanocomposites along with their applications as protective coatings. These alkyd composites have high hydrophobicity, corrosion resistance, and durability. Graphene-based alkyd nanocoatings have many industrial and research interests because of their exceptional thermal and chemical properties. This work introduces an advanced horizon for developing protective nanocomposite coatings. The anti-corrosion properties and coatings' longevity may be improved by combining the synergistic effects of hybrid nanofillers introduced in this work.

ANALYSIS OF THE PROPERTIES OF COATINGS USED TO PROTECT THE PUMP AND COMPRESSOR PIPE

In this article considers basic properties of protective coatings applied to the inner wall of tubing in order to extend pump and compressor pipe (PCP) service life PCP and minimize operational risks. The main complicating factors, such as scale deposits, corrosion aggressiveness, mechanical impurities, etc., arising during PCP operation are specified, groups of test media and test parameters for grading different types of coatings according to their resistance to complicating factors are singled out. Influence of various aggressive media on PCP, such as distilled water, petroleum product simulator, etc., coatings is described, and test media and test parameters for protective coatings are reviewed. The basic methods for determining the physical and mechanical characteristics, such as determining adhesion, thickness and dielectric continuity, of coatings are given, and brief informative and descriptive references for each of them are given. Recommendations are given for testing protective coatings on the inner surface of PCP for compliance with technical requirements, which ultimately allows selecting materials most resistant to aggressive field environments. The relevance of studying the influence of aggressive media on the protective coatings of the inner wall of tubing is due to the need to increase the level of reliability and durability of technical systems in operating conditions. The work is of interest to specialists in the field of materials science, technical expertise and tubing design, as well as researchers involved in the development of new materials and methods for surface protection in operating conditions. The results obtained will optimize the choice of protective coatings for specific operating conditions, which helps to increase the service life of tubing and reduce maintenance costs. This is of direct importance for reducing the risks of accidents and the environmental consequences of oil and gas production processes. In addition, the development of innovative materials and methods for protecting the surfaces of the inner wall of the tubing contributes to improving the efficiency of the operation of oil and gas wells, as well as helps to reduce equipment downtime.

Surface modified molybdenum disulfide nanosheets for corrosion resistance improvement on polyurethane coatings

Abstract Organic–inorganic hybrid coating has been applied on metallic corrosion protection effectively. Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanosheets with graphene-like two-dimensional lamellar structure were an anticorrosion inorganic additive, rendering the organic coating better corrosion resistant. However, the aggregation and poor solubility are still current issues that should be addressed. Functionalization MoS2 nanosheets with surface modified by polydopamine (PDA) and silane coupling agent (KH560) were prepared in polyurethane (PU) composite coatings to obtain dense and intact multilayer network structure coatings for corrosion protection. KH560-PDA-MoS2/PU coating with crosslinked polymer network structure has a high impedance modulus, large contact angle, and strong hydrophobicity. The coating meets the national technical standards for salt spray testing and nitric acid (HNO3) titration testing, demonstrating excellent corrosion resistance.

Study of high-entropy oxide diffusion barrier and diffusion resistance mechanism in high-temperature protective coatings

In order to obtain high temperature protective coatings with low diffusivity, high entropy (HEA) as well as high entropy oxide (HEO) diffusion barriers were deposited between the NiCrAlY coating and the substrate by magnetron sputtering. These two coatings were subjected to constant temperature oxidation tests at 1050 °C. These results show that the two coatings containing diffusion barriers have better high-temperature oxidation properties compared to the NiCrAlY coating. Both HEA and HEO diffusion barriers have the desired performance in hindering the diffusion of elements between the coating and the substrate. The evolution of these two diffusion barriers and the mechanism of diffusion resistance during the oxidation process have been investigated.

Structure and corrosion properties of multilayer metal/nitride/oxide ceramic coatings formed on austenitic-martensitic steel by magnetron deposition

The design of protective coatings preventing the degradation and failure of austenitic steels in humid climate is a relevant issue. In this work, a conventional magnetron sputtering method was utilized in order to fabricate a four-layer Ni/Al-Si-N/Ni/Al-Si-O coating onto austenitic-martensitic steel. At the first stage of deposition, a three-layer coating was formed in an Ar+N2 atmosphere using a mosaic target (Ni or Al-Si), while the second stage included the deposition of the outer ceramic Al-Si-O layer in an Ar+O2 gas mixture. The studies of the structure, hardness, adhesion strength and electrochemical behavior (in 3.5 wt. % NaCl) of the «coating/steel» system were performed by means of X-ray Diffraction, electron microscopy, mechanical (indentation and scratch) tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The ceramic Al-Si-O layer exhibits an amorphous structure. The adjacent nickel layers have submicrocrystalline columnar grains. The ceramic Al-Si-N layer possesses a nanocrystalline columnar structure based on AlN + Si3N4 phases. Hardness behavior of the multilayer coating varies nonmonotonically due to a contribution of the soft amorphous phase in the upper surface layer and high-strength nanocrystalline phases in the underlying sublayers. It has been revealed that as-deposited multilayer coating decreases a corrosion rate of the substrate. The layered structure of the coating hinders the transport and diffusion of chloride ions to the substrate and decreases the corrosion rate of the substrate. However, a transport of chloride ions into the inner layers of the coating may occur through the microstructural defects preserved in the amorphous Al-Si-O layer. The scheme describing an initiation of corrosion damage and formation of corrosion products under critical corrosion conditions was proposed.

Development of NiCrFeCoBX eutectic high entropy alloy coating by laser cladding: investigation of microstructural, solidification, corrosion, and wear properties

Developing protective coatings resistant to corrosion and wear has always been a challenge in various industries. In this work, we processed NiCrFeCoBx (x=0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6) high-entropy alloy by laser cladding on a GTD-111 superalloy. At B 0.3, the microstructure of the coating consisting of inter-dendritic FCC1 and FCC2 lamellae coupling was confirmed by XRD and SEM analysis. By increasing the value of B (B 0.4), a coating with the phase structures of FCC1, FCC2, and MXBY was identified. The presence of Cr-rich borides (MXBY) was attributed to the enrichment of the eutectic composition with B and its segregation into interdendritic regions. With increasing B, more areas were created for inhomogeneous nucleation of dendrites from the melt, resulting in a finer eutectic structure with a higher volume fraction. The comparison between B0.1 and B0.6 samples showed that the hardness increased from 240 HV to 603 HV and the coefficient of friction decreased from 0.63 to 0.42. Raising the B value led to a drop in the corrosion current potential of the NiCrFeCoBX coating from -0.456 V to -0.895 V in a 3.5% NaCl solution. Additionally, this shift altered the corrosion mechanism from pitting to intergranular corrosion. This was attributed to the high surface energy of the eutectic phase and the intensification of galvanic corrosion.

Ozone-activated lignocellulose films blended with chitosan for edible film production

This work focuses on the influence of ozone pretreatment on the fractionation and solubilization of sugarcane bagasse and soda bagasse pulp fibers in sodium hydroxide/urea solution, as well as the application of regenerated cellulose for producing edible films. The methodology involved pretreating lignocelluloses with ozone for 20 to 120 min before dissolving in sodium hydroxide/urea solution. The influence of the pretreatment conditions on cellulose dissolution yield was investigated. Regenerated cellulose films were then formed, with and without the addition of 2 % chitosan. Mechanical, physical, structural, thermal, and antimicrobial attributes were determined as a function of ozonation conditions of raw materials and chitosan content. The findings exhibited positive effects of short ozonation on enhancing mechanical strength, cohesion, and hydrophobicity. The prolonged ozonation of 120 min demonstrated optimal improvements in continuity, swelling, and antibacterial resistance of obtained films. Incorporating chitosan enhanced tensile performance, stiffness, and vapor barriers but increased moisture absorption. Tailoring the activation of biomass through ozone pretreatment and chitosan addition resulted in renewable films with adjustable properties to meet diverse packaging requirements, particularly for fruit protective coatings, ensuring the preservation of post-harvest quality.

Enhanced Long-Term Corrosion Resistance of 316L Stainless Steel by Multilayer Amorphous Carbon Coatings.

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings are effective in protecting the key components of marine equipment and can greatly improve their short-term performance (1.5~4.5 h). However, the lack of investigation into their long-term (more than 200 h) performance cannot meet the service life requirements of marine equipment. Here, three multilayered DLC coatings, namely Ti/DLC, TiCx/DLC, and Ti-TiCx/DLC, were prepared, and their long-term corrosion resistance was investigated. Results showed that the corrosion current density of all DLC coatings was reduced by 1-2 orders of magnitude compared with bare 316L stainless steel (316Lss). Moreover, under long-term (63 days) immersion in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution, all DLC coatings could provide excellent long-term corrosion protection for 316Lss, and Ti-TiCx/DLC depicted the best corrosion resistance; the polarization resistances remained at ~3.0 × 107 Ω·cm2 after immersion for 63 days, with more interfaces to hinder the penetration of the corrosive media. Meanwhile, during neutral salt spray (3000 h), the corrosion resistance of Ti/DLC and TiCx/DLC coatings showed a certain degree of improvement because the insoluble corrosion products at the defects blocked the subsequent corrosion. This study can provide a route to designing amorphous carbon protective coatings for long-term marine applications in different environments.

An analytical approach to predict fatigue strength of corroded steel plates using random field-based corrosion surface modeling

This study introduces a probabilistic method to predict the fatigue strength of corroded steel members by incorporating uncertainties related to corrosion depth and surface morphology using random field modeling. The modeling successfully captured the probability density of the target corrosion depth, accurately representing corrosion geometric characteristics. Validation against fatigue testing on corroded rolled beams showcased the method’s accuracy across a range of stress levels. The application of the proposed method for time-variant fatigue strength predictions unveiled a rapid decline in both fatigue constant A and the constant amplitude fatigue threshold (CAFT) during the initial stages of corrosion. In marine and urban environments, fatigue strength fell rapidly within the first 3 years after corrosion initiation, whereas in rural environments, fatigue strength was anticipated to start to decline gradually after 5 years. These projections underscore the necessity of regular inspections to assess the condition of protective coatings. Moreover, the degradation curves generated by this method can serve as a foundational element in establishing an effective maintenance strategy for structures.

Nodular defects aggravated tribocorrosion failure mechanism in Cr/GLC multilayer coatings for marine applications

Amorphous carbon coatings by various physical vapor deposition (PVD) have been widely attempted for enhancing both anti-wear and corrosion resistance of bulk materials used in harsh marine environments. However, PVD coatings are apt to be worn due to the existence of growth defects mostly like macro-size nodular particles. In this work, we deliberately fabricated the SiO2 nanoparticles with a size of 200 nm as nodular defects in Cr and graphite-like carbon (Cr/GLC) multilayer coatings, and the dependence of tribocorrosion behavior of coating on the nodular defects was focused by the comprehensively tribological and electrochemical tests. The results showed that introducing SiO2 nodular particles could not degrade the mechanical properties of Cr/GLC coating, but significantly accelerated both the abrasive wear in early sliding-stage under dry friction and the corrosive failure in chloride solution. Particularly, once the tribocorrosion tests in 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution were conducted for the Cr/GLC coating with nodular defects, the distinct ploughing damage originated from abrasive wear promoted the localized spallation of coatings, which thereafter enabled the easy water wedging along spallation for the substantial catastrophe of coatings. The present observations could evident the importance to fabricate the defect-free protective coatings required for harsh tribocorrosion applications.

Review on the Encapsulation, Microencapsulation, and Nano- Encapsulation: Synthesis and Applications in the Process Industry for Corrosion Inhibition

Background: Surfaces of materials often corrode and deteriorate due to environmental conditions. There are various widely used methods of reducing corrosion rates to increase the lifetime of materials and equipment. Recently, there has been a growth in the use of nanotechnology to protect metals against corrosion. The application of nano-encapsulation techniques in the process industry is one of the important eras of nanotechnology. This review paper focuses on encapsulation, microencapsulation, and nano-encapsulation methods, emphasizing nanoencapsulation applications as corrosion inhibitions in the process industry. Methods: Materials based on the self-healing mechanism were used in advanced applications such as structures, batteries, and coatings. These technologies may be studied in two ways: compounds with intrinsic self-healing properties and extrinsic self-healing materials with additives such as microcapsules filled with healing agents. Nano-coatings have advantages, like accelerated ground hardness, adhesive energy, long-time period and/or high-temperature corrosion resistance, tribological residence enhancement, etc. Nano-coatings can also be carried out in thinner and smoother layers, considering flexibility, accelerated performance, decreased fuel costs, and smaller carbon footprints, as well as occasional maintenance. The review of corrosion characteristics of polymeric nanocomposite material was discussed in this paper. Results: This review paper presents an updated overview summarizing the latest advances in the various micro/nanocarriers used for self-healing corrosion protective coatings. Conclusion: With this information, the investigators will be able to modify the structure of the inhibitor to get the necessary corrosion inhibition capabilities. The need for a physical examination is rising as a result.

Unlocking the potential of anthocyanin-based dye-sensitized solar cells: Strategies for enhancing efficiency, stability, and economic viability

This study investigates the feasibility and potential of anthocyanins as natural dyes in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The focus is on the efficiency, stability, and economic viability of using anthocyanins as green alternatives in renewable energy technology. While anthocyanins offer controlled modification of optical properties at a low cost, there are challenges to overcome in achieving high efficiency, long-term stability, and commercial affordability. The study analyzes recent research developments and proposes strategies to enhance efficiency, stability, and economic viability. Optimization techniques, such as dye mixing and co-pigmentation, as well as modifications to dye structure and protective coatings, are explored. Economic considerations, availability, scalability, and innovative approaches like dye engineering and novel device architectures are discussed. The findings highlight the potential of anthocyanin-based DSSCs as a sustainable and economically viable solar energy technology. The study concludes with recommendations for future research to overcome challenges and advance the field of anthocyanin-based DSSCs.

Elastic and Self-Healing Copolymer Coatings with Antimicrobial Function.

The revolutionary self-healing function for long-term and safe service processes has inspired researchers to implement them in various fields, including in the application of antimicrobial protective coatings. Despite the great advances that have been made in the field of fabricating self-healing and antimicrobial polymers, their poor transparency and the trade-off between the mechanical and self-healing properties limit the utility of the materials as transparent antimicrobial protective coatings for wearable optical and display devices. Considering the compatibility in the blending process, our group proposed a self-healing, self-cross-linkable poly{(n-butyl acrylate)-co-[N-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide]} copolymer (AP)-based protective coating combined with two types of commercial cationic antimicrobial agents (i.e., dimethyl octadecyl (3-trimethoxysilylpropyl) ammonium chloride (DTSACL) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)), leading to the fabrication of a multifunctional modified compound film of (AP/b%CHG)-grafted-a%DTSACL. The first highlight of this research is that the reactivity of the hydroxyl group in the N-(hydroxymethyl)acrylamide of the copolymer side chains under thermal conditions facilitates the "grafting to" process with the trimethoxysilane groups of DTSACL to form AP-grafted-DTSACL, yielding favorable thermal stability, improvement in hydrophobicity, and enhancement of mechanical strength. Second, we highlight that the addition of CHG can generate covalent and noncovalent interactions in a complex manner between the two biguanide groups of CHG with the AP and DTSACL via a thermal-triggered cross-linking reaction. The noncovalent interactions synergistically serve as diverse dynamic hydrogen bonds, leading to complete healing upon scratches and even showing over 80% self-healing efficiency on full-cut, while covalent bonding can effectively improve elasticity and mechanical strength. The soft nature of CHG also takes part in improving the self-healing of the copolymer. Moreover, it was discovered that the addition of CHG can enhance antimicrobial effectiveness, as demonstrated by the long-term superior antibacterial activity (100%) against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) bacteria and the antifouling function on a glass substrate and/or a silica wafer coated by the modified polymer.

Enhanced Durability and Antireflective Performance of Ag-Based Transparent Conductors Achieved via Controlled N-Doping.

Ag-based transparent conductors (TCs) are often proposed as an alternative to ITO coatings. However, while their performance has been widely demonstrated, their environmental durability is frequently overlooked or addressed with the use of highly specific encapsulating layers. In this work, the durability and antireflective performance of Ag-based TCs are simultaneously enhanced. To do so, a transfer matrix modeling approach is used to determine the general requirements for high performance antireflective properties as a function of Ag thickness and dielectric refractive indices, offering more widely applicable insight into stack optimization. Coating durability is investigated as a function of the Ag microstructure, which is modified by altering the N2 concentration used for doping of the Ag layer and the selection of the seed layer. Increasing N2 concentration during Ag deposition was found to decrease grain size and durability of Ag coatings deposited on Si3N4 whereas all coatings on ZnO(Al) showed higher stability. Significantly higher durability is found when specifically combining intermediate N2 concentrations in the sputtering gas mixture (Ag(N):5%, compared to 0% and 50%) and a ZnO(Al) seed layer, and a mechanism accounting for this increased durability is proposed. The addition of NiCrNx protective coatings increases the system durability without altering these trends. These findings are combined to fabricate a highly performant Ag-based TC (TV = 89.2%, RVFS = 0.23%, 21.4 Ω), which shows minimal property changes following corrosion testing by immersion in a heated and highly concentrated aqueous NaCl solution (200 g/L, 50 °C).