Coated nozzles for arc torches

A method of welding or plasma cutting comprising:

• providing an arc torch comprising a nozzle, the nozzle including a first body comprising a central bore and an exterior surface, and a coating adhered to the exterior surface by physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD), the coating comprising a refractory layer of Ti1-x-yMeyAlxN, wherein Me is selected from Groups IVB-VIB of the Periodic Table and x>0, y≥0, and 0.3≤x+y≤0.9;
• and
• welding or plasma cutting a metal or alloy workpiece with the arc torch.

A nozzle for an arc torch comprising:

• a first body comprising a central bore and an exterior surface;
• and
• a coating adhered to the exterior surface by thermal spray, the coating comprising a refractory layer of Ti1-x-yMeyAlxN, wherein Me is selected from Groups IVB-VIB of the Periodic Table and x>0, y≥0, and 0.3≤x+y≤0.9.