Comparison of tribological properties of CrN, TiCN and TiAlN coatings sliding against SiC balls in water

► Deposition of CrN, TiCN and TiAlN coatings on WC cemented carbide disks using enhanced cathodic arc magnetron sputtering. ► Investigation of tribological properties of CrN, TiCN and TiAlN coatings sliding SiC balls in water. ► The lowest friction coefficient of 0.076 was obtained for the CrN/SiC tribopairs. ► The CrN coatings and the SiC balls against TiCN coatings showed the lowest specific wear rates.