Abstract:To eliminate the columnar epitaxial growth by conventional ion plating, the nanomultilayered CrN coatings were prepared on A3 steel substrates by arc ion plating method. The cross section and surface morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscope. The phase structures of the CrN coatings were determined by Xray diffraction analysis. The wear resistance was assessed with a NUSLSO1 type rubber wheel tester. The results show that the microstructure of the nanomultilayered CrN coating is clearly stackedup sandwich structure. The columnar epitaxial growth is eliminated, and the bulk flakeoff is avoided by the nanomultilayered microstructure. The wear mechanism of nanomultilayered CrN coating is a kind of the microarea detachment. The wear resistance of the nanomultilayer CrN coatings is much better than that of conventional CrN coatings. After 3 000 cycles, the mass loss of the nanomultilayered CrN coating deposited at cathode current of 60 A is only 024 mg, approximately one tenth of conventional CrN coating.