Improvement of mechanical and tribological properties in steel surfaces by using titanium-aluminum/titanium-aluminum nitride multilayered system

► The novel [Ti-Al/Ti-Al-N]n nanometric multilayer was deposited by co-sputtering. ► The modulation period effect on mechanical and tribological properties was studied. ► The interfaces dissipate energy in plastic deformation process. ► Hardness and friction coefficient increase with the decrease of bilayer period (Λ).