Ti-Al-Si-C-N　coatings　are　deposited　by　hybrid　arc-enhanced　magnetron　sputtering　and　characterized　by　various　micro　and　macro-tools.　X-ray　diffraction,　high-resolution　transmission　electron　microscopy,　and　X-ray　photoelectron　spectroscopy　reveal　that　the　coatings　are　probably　nanocomposites　consisting　of　nanocrystallites　and　amorphous　phases.　They　are　generally　in　the　form　of　nc-(Ti,Al)(C,N)/a-SiN/a-C,　depending　on　the　composition　of　the　coatings.　With　increasing　Al　concentrations,　the　X-ray　diffraction　peaks　shift　to　a　lower　angle　and　the　measured　hardness　diminishes,　implying　a　reduced　contribution　of　the　self-organized　stable　nanostructure.　The　dry　friction　coefficients　of　the　Ti-Al-Si-C-N　coatings　are　about　0.3,　which　is　lower　than　that　of　conventional　Ti-Si-N　coatings.　These　coatings　can　find　potential　applications　requiring　heavy　contact　loading　subject　to　high　temperature.　Copyright　©　2011　by　ASTM　International.