Wear and oxidation resistance of combustion CVD grown alumina films

► The α-Al2O3 thin films were made by combustion CVD at 1100 °C on Si substrate. ► Coefficient of friction of ~ 0.5 was obtained at higher sliding distances. ► The tribological properties were not much affected by crystal structure and size. ► The α-Al2O3 coated Ni-20Cr alloy was found to be 18 times more oxidation resistant.