Applying anti-oxidation coatingsCoatings to prebaked carbon anodesCarbon anode is an effective strategy to reduce the net carbon consumptionCarbon consumption (NCC) and greenhouse gas emissionsEmissions of aluminum smeltingAluminum smelting. Traditionally, the performance of such coatingsCoatings has been evaluated in laboratory settings by comparing the air reactivity of coated versus uncoated carbonCarbon substrates. This paper introduces a new selection methodology developed by Rio Tinto to identify the most effective anti-oxidation coatingCoatings material. Three ceramic-based coatingsCoatings from different suppliers were applied to the same type of carbonCarbon substrate. The performance of the coatingsCoatings was evaluated using both standard air reactivity tests and pull-off adhesion strengthStrength measurementsMeasurements. All three coatingsCoatings significantly reduced air reactivity loss to approximately 3%, compared to 28% for the uncoated substrate. However, the pull-off adhesion strengthStrength varied by a factor of three among the coatingsCoatings. The coatingCoatings with the highest adhesion was selected, as superior adhesion is expected to enhance long-term durability under harsh conditions of an electrolysis cellElectrolysis cell. Subsequently, the thickness of the selected coatingCoatings was optimized in the presence of fluorine vapor to ensure maximum performance.