The paper presents results of the structural examinations, tests of mechanical and working properties ofthin wear resistant gradient coatings of the TiN/(Ti,Al,Si)N/TiN type, deposited in the CAE process ontothe substrate from the cermets and cemented carbides. Structural examinations are presented of theapplied coatings and their substrate made on the SEM, TEM and on the LM.Evaluation of the adhesion of the deposited coatings onto the cemented carbides and cermets was madeusing the scratch test. Cutting properties of the investigated materials were determined basing on thetechnological continuous cutting tests of the C45E steel. Substrate hardness tests and microhardness testsof the deposited coatings were made on the ultra-micro-hardness tester at 70 mN load. Surface roughnesstests were also made before depositing the coatings and after completing the PVD process
