reactive magnetron sputtering deposition, varying the N 2 flow. The coatings were
characterized in the as-deposited condition and after annealing in air at 500° C for 1 h, by X-
Ray Diffraction, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Raman and Fourier Transform Infrared
spectroscopies. Hardness was measured by nanoindentation. Coatings have a
nanocrystalline microstructure with the phase shifting from Cr 2 N to CrN, increasing grain …