This paper presents results on the PVD CrCuN nanocomposite coating system, in which the immiscibility of Cr (containing a supersaturation of nitrogen) and Cu offers the potential of a predominantly metallic (and therefore tough) nanocomposite, composed of small Cr(N) metallic and/or β-Cr 2 N ceramic grains interdispersed in a (minority) Cu matrix. A range of CrCuN compositions have been deposited using a hot-filament enhanced unbalanced magnetron sputtering system. The stoichiometry and

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... cture have been studied by XPS, TEM, SEM and XRD. Hardness, wear resistance and impact resistance have been determined by nanoindentation, reciprocating-sliding and ball-onplate high-frequency impact. Evolution of the nanostructure as a function of composition and correlations of the nanostructure and mechanical properties of the CrCuN coatings are discussed. A nanostructure comprising of 1-3 nm -Cr(N) and β-Cr 2 N grains separated by intergranular regions of Cu give rise to a coating with significantly enhanced resistance to impact wear.