Comparative investigation of Al- and Cr-doped TiSiCN coatings

► Hard Ti(Al,Cr)SiCN coatings for high-temperature tribological applications. ► Alloying with Al or Cr improves thermal stability of TiSiCN coatings. ► TiAlSiCN coatings show hardness above 37 GPa from 25 to 1300 °C. ► TiCrSiCN coatings demonstrate hardness above 34 GPa up to 1100 °C. ► Al- and Cr-doped TiSiCN coatings possess improved oxidation resistance up to 1000 °C.