Contactless Tracking of Decomposition in Self‐Reporting Ceramic Cr‐Al‐B Coatings

Abstract Autonomous health tracking of coated components via electrical resistance measurements requires physical connections between coating and readout. Here, the proof of concept for contactless tracking of decomposition in autonomous self‐reporting Cr‐Al‐B coatings is demonstrated. Contactless‐monitored electrical resistance changes of Cr_0.34Al_0.31B_0.35 coatings reveal decomposition of Cr₂AlB₂ and Cr₃AlB₄ to CrB and CrB₂. Comparison of contactless‐measured resistance data with in situ and ex situ high‐resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy, as well as ex situ X‐ray diffraction and elastic‐recoil detection analysis, reveals the untapped potential of assessing materials health data in extreme environments. More sustainable materials consumption is enabled by continuous or periodic contactless tracking of materials health data as the individual remaining component lifetime is utilized instead of the much shorter lifetime prediction resulting from safety‐factor‐based design approaches.