Effective arc-quenching is desired for current interrupters as defined to include circuit breakers, contactors, fuses and the like under conditions of operation where an electrical arc is produced that must be quenched to eliminate an undesirable current flow. An improved mode of arc-quenching coatings comprising urethane, melamine and acrylic based resin compositions containing inorganic nitrides such as boron nitride, aluminum nitride and silicon nitride are found to be effective as arc-quenching materials for current interrupters. Other coating compositions comprising urethane, melamine and inorganic nitrides mentioned above and high nitrogen organic compounds such as urea, hydantoin, allantoin, guanidine carbonate, guanine, melamine cyanurate and 1,3-diphenyl guanidine are also found to be effective as arc-quenching materials for current interrupters.