Aluminum nitride (AlN) thin films were deposited onto austenitic Fe-Al-Mn alloys by reactive r.f. magnetron sputtering with a mixture of argon and nitrogen. Coating with an AlN film increases the surface hardness of the Fe-Al-Mn alloy significantly, and the hardness of the as-deposited AlN film increases as the N2 content is decreased. AlN films prevent oxidation of the Fe-Al-Mn alloy, and the anti-oxidation resistance can prevail up to 600-degrees-C in a 20% O2 + 80% N2 atmosphere. In addition, the thermal weight gain of AlN coated Fe-Al-Mn alloy is decreased and the corrosion resistance against salt-spray is enhanced.