Structural and mechanical properties of nanostructured metalloceramic coatings on cobalt chrome alloys were investigated with thin-film x-ray diffraction, nanoindentation, and scratch adhesion testing. The surface layer structure was described as a tertiary Ti-N-Cr disordered solid solution that was predominantly cubic TiN. The high plasticity of 55% for this coating represented an increase in toughness over other ceramic coatings with similar hardness.
