In the present study, TiN and CrN single-layer and TiN/CrN nanoscale multi-layer thin films have been deposited on 420C stainless steel (SS) substrate using a cathodic arc evaporation (CAE) method. The nanoindentation test showed that hardness of TiN/CrN nanoscale multi-layer thin film was 30 GPa that is harder than TiN (HTiN = 23 GPa) and CrN (HCrN = 19 GPa). Ball-ondisk tribometer and Rockwell-C indentation methods showed respectively better sliding wear performance for TiN/CrN nanoscale multi-layer coating and better adhesion strength for CrN single-layer coating in comparison to all samples. Finally it was found that the TiN/CrN nanoscale multi-layer thin film can be used for tribological applications on 420C SS where high hardness and wear resistance and low friction coefficients are essential.
