The plug sealing corrosion-resistant spring you’re referring to seems to be an application of cerium-based coatings for corrosion prevention, particularly in the context of insulators and other metal parts prone to corrosion in power industries. Cerium (Ce) is highlighted as an abundant and economical rare earth metal that offers potential for environment-friendly materials in technological applications, including corrosion prevention.
Cerium-based coatings are applied through a dip-coating process, which is described as efficient, defect-free, thermal resistant, hard, economical, and environment-friendly, without requiring any post-treatment. This process involves immersing metal specimens in a corrosive solution containing rare earth salts, such as CeCl3.7H2O, to develop insoluble Ce oxides and hydroxides at the cathodes, which retard the oxygen reduction reaction, thereby inhibiting corrosion.
In summary, the plug sealing corrosion-resistant spring is likely a metal part coated with a cerium-based sealing coating for enhanced corrosion resistance, especially in harsh environments. This approach offers a sustainable solution for corrosion prevention in power industries, leveraging the properties of cerium to protect against corrosion while minimizing environmental impact.