Scientific Understanding
Dive deep into the electrochemical processes of corrosion and learn the fundamental science behind coating performance
Practical Expertise
Learn how to interpret coating performance based on mechanisms, not assumptions, and make better decisions in material selection and asset protection.
Career Advancement
Build a stronger technical foundation in protective coatings to improve your confidence and credibility in engineering and inspection environments.
About the Course
Unlock the science behind protective coatings and change the way you approach corrosion. This is not just another course. It is a focused and practical deep dive into how coatings actually perform in real conditions. In many cases, coating failures are not caused by the product itself, but by a fragmented understanding of corrosion mechanisms, coating chemistry, and adhesion. Over time, this leads to unexpected failures, repeated maintenance, and increasing costs. This course brings these elements together. You will learn how corrosion develops, how coatings interact with steel, and how adhesion is established and lost, so you can make better decisions and reduce uncertainty in real projects. By understanding coatings at this level, you move beyond routine technical work and start thinking like a specialist, making confident decisions based on how things actually work. Whether you are an experienced professional or building your career, this course gives you a clear path to understanding coating performance with both depth and practical relevance.
How the Course Works
The course is delivered in a structured format, with two lessons released per week, so you can follow the content at your own pace. Each lesson includes: - A complete recorded lecture - A clear and well-organized PDF textbook - Supporting materials, including mind maps, to help you visualize and connect the concepts At the end of the course, you may request a certificate of completion, signed by Dr Liana Chafran and issued by Chafran Materials Consulting. Students in this first cohort will also receive a 15% discount for the next course, Surface Preparation Masterclass, launching in October.
What Comes Next: Surface Preparation Masterclass
For those who want to go deeper, the next course covers the technical foundations of surface preparation, focusing on understanding rather than hands-on application, including: - Surface contamination (salts, oil, dust) - Key standards (ISO 8501, ISO 8502, SSPC and others) - Surface profile and its relationship with adhesion (mechanical vs chemical) - UHPWJ versus abrasive blasting, including practical limitations - When SP11 works, and when it does not - Failure analysis examples based on real-world scenarios
What you'll learn
Scientific Understanding
Understand corrosion from an electrochemical perspective and how different mechanisms develop under real conditions, including the role of oxygen, environmental conditions and material behavior.
Surface Condition, Adhesion and Performance
Understand how surface condition, preparation and adhesion mechanisms control coating performance, and why failures often originate at the interface.
Coating Selection and Failure Analysis
Evaluate coating systems based on chemistry and environment, make better technical decisions and understand the root causes of coating failures.
Dr. Liana Chafran
Dr. Liana Chafran is a chemist specialized in materials science, with a strong background in polymer chemistry, corrosion and protective coatings. She has worked across both academia and industry, including serving as a tenure-track Assistant Professor at George Mason University - USA, and as Chief Chemist in the coatings industry, where she was involved in the technical aspects of coating systems, including formulation and materials evaluation. At George Mason University, her research focused on the development of advanced materials, including antimicrobial coatings and smart responsive systems designed to interact with complex environments. Her work combines scientific research with practical application, bridging fundamental chemistry and real-world performance. She has published scientific papers, contributed to advanced materials research and holds intellectual property developed during her work in catalysis and polymer systems. Throughout her career, she has consistently focused on one question: How and why materials behave the way they do in real conditions. This course reflects that approach. It was designed to connect fundamental science with coating performance in practice, helping professionals move beyond procedures and develop a deeper, more practical understanding of corrosion and adhesion.
What Professionals Are Saying
Real insights from experts who have transformed their understanding of protective coatings
Dr. Chafran has large experience in polymers and materials science. Her work with smart coatings is impressive, and she has a strong ability to improve coating performance.
Washington, DC.
The way Dr. Liana teaches is very clear, making complex topics much easier to understand. For me, the combination of strong scientific knowledge and practical industry experience is essential for my career, which is why her expertise is so valuable.
Curitiba, Brazil
Dr. Chafran has extensive experience in the development, analysis, and characterization of a wide range of materials. Additionally, her teaching and mentoring stand out due to her deep technical knowledge and ability to effectively guide students.
São Paulo, Brazil
I had the opportunity to closely follow Dr. Liana’s work for two years, and one of the things that impressed me most was her ability to transform simple polymers into remarkable materials. I was able to see part of her work in the development of responsive polymers for insulin delivery, as well as her research in coatings with antimicrobial properties. I am really looking forward to her new course.
Stuttgart, DE
Ready to Understand Coating Performance at a Deeper Level?
Early bird available until April 25 Regular price: $400 Build the technical understanding needed to make better coating decisions. Limited spots available!
$360.00
Course Dates and Access
- Enrollment is currently open with an early bird price of AUD 360, valid until April 25. After this date, the course price will be AUD 400. - The final enrollment deadline is May 10. - Classes begin on May 5 and will be released online twice per week, every Tuesday and Thursday at 9:00 AM (Sydney time). - Students will have access to all course content for one year!!!