TiSiON thin films for load bearing applications were prepared by reactive cathodic arc evaporation at different substrate bias voltages. The influence of deposition parameters on the tribological performance of coated CoCr samples was investigated. The tribological performance of uncoated and coated CoCr alloy surfaces was investigated in 0.9% NaCl solution. The friction coefficient of the TiSiON in corrosive environment exhibited values ranging from 0.1 to 0.3. Combined adhesive and oxidative wear mechanism was found. All of the coatings demonstrated a better tribological performance when compared with uncoated CoCr substrate. Of the investigated coatings, TiSiON deposited at -200V bias voltages exhibited the best tribological performance in 0.9% NaCl, both in friction coefficient (0.1) and wear rate (6.29 x 10(-6) mm(3)/Nm). (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.