In this study, (Ti,Al)N coatings were deposited on Japanese Industrial Standard SKD11 modified cold-work tool steel using a cathodic arc deposition system with and without magnetic filter attachment. Coating morphology and properties such as coating structure, adhesion, hardness, abrasion and corrosion behaviors were analyzed to evaluate the effects of magnetic filter on the coatings. The results showed that magnetic filtering slowed down (Ti,Al)N deposition rate, but it improved component homogeneity, roughness and adhesion of the coatings. Although (Ti,Al)N coated specimens produced with or without filter both showed superior abrasion resistance in service, however, filtered (Ti,Al)N coatings yielded better corrosion protection of the steel than unfiltered ones in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous medium. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.