Tribological properties of duplex plasma oxidised, nitrided and PVD coated Ti-6Al-4V

► We study the tribological performance of triode plasma diffusion-treated and duplex coated Ti-6Al-4V. ► Oxygen diffusion can be used to enhance the load-bearing capacity of the Ti alloy for subsequent PVD coating. ► Oxynitriding processes can be designed to provide high adhesion strength of PVD coatings to Ti alloys. ► Dry sliding wear even at very high contact pressures can be reduced using the duplex technique outlined.