CrN hard coatings were deposited by sputtering onto pure titanium and titanium alloy TiAl6V4 in order to improve the wear protection and the oxidation resistance of the substrate materials. To obtain dense coatings with high hardness and good adhesion to the substrate, the bias voltages (r.f., d.c.) were varied systematically and different thin intermediate layers (chromium, NiCr) were deposited prior to sputtering of the CrN coatings. Furthermore, the influence of thermoshock treatment (fast cooling from 700-degrees-C to 10-degrees-C in water) on the film properties was analysed. The wear behaviour of the coatings was evaluated using a plate on cylinder model wear test apparatus.