Carbon doped α-Al2O3 coatings grown by chemical vapor deposition

► Chemical vapor deposition α-Al2O3 hard coatings doped with carbon. ► Incorporation of < 1 at.% C in α-Al2O3 coatings. ► Coating hardness of 25-26 GPa not significantly affected by C doping. ► Reduction of friction coefficient due to formation of a lubricious carbon layer.