Herein, enhanced damage tolerance of electrochemically processed Cr-based coatings reinforced with BN (Cr-BN), diamond (Cr-D) and graphene (Cr-Gr) is presented. The effect of micro-meter sized BN and diamond particles as well as 2D graphene nano-flakes in Cr matrix is studied due to its excellent mechanical properties and lubricating nature. The highest hardness of Cr-D (similar to 23 GPa) is ascribed to the highest dislocation density of similar to 18x10(11) cm(-2), estimated through Taylor's model. Scratch test revealed minimum wear volume and coefficient of friction of similar to 27 +/- 0.47 x 10(-14) m(3) and 0.14, respectively, for Cr-D coating. Fretting wear results were concurrent with the scratch test, with Cr-D exhibiting minimum coefficient of friction (COF similar to 0.53) and wear loss (wear volume similar to 0.222 x 10(-3) mm(3)). Diamond particles promote strong bonding due to mechanical interlocking, and efficient load transfer that restricts wear, and passes as a suitable reinforcement of Cr-coating for tribological applications subjected to high load and temperature conditions. [GRAPHICS] .