The aspect of protection is decisive for coating applications on polymers. Particularly, wear and scratch resistance are improved by coatings. The aim of the presented investigations was to enhance these properties. Thereby new fields of applications are emerging. In the experiments two coating systems (TiN, Al2O3) were applied on different polymers (PA, PC, PBT, PEEK). Several magnetron sputter techniques were used for coating deposition. Especially, the influence of pulse technique and High Ion Sputtering (H.I.S.)(TM) technology was investigated. The combination of these technologies promised to fulfil many expectations in high quality coatings applied on polymers. This assumption was corroborated by the test results. Good adhesion and smooth surfaces were obtained for these coatings, both assumptions for industrial applications. Furthermore, wear and scratch resistance were evaluated and showed good results. As measuring methods were employed inter alia scratch tests, calo tests and electron microscopy. Finally, the applied technologies show high potential for coating on polymers. The test results indicate that there is a need for further investigations to optimise processing and coating properties. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.