Mechanical properties of DLC coating sputter deposited on surface nanocrystallized 304 stainless steel

► DLC coating is deposited on surface nanocrystallized (SNCed) 304 stainless steel. ► Cr diffusion into the steel substrate is enhanced by SNC pretreatment. ► Mechanical properties of the coating system are improved by SNC pretreatment. ► The benefits of the SNC-hard coating hybrid processing are discussed.