Abstract: A multi-component, metal-containing, wear-resistant coating which is not homogeneous. The coating has a difference of a metallic element concentration of at least about 2 atom percent between the edges of the coating surface and the coating surface remote from the edge. Non-homogeneous coatings of the invention are surprisingly wear-resistant compared to homogeneous coatings.The invention also relates to a method of applying the coatings of the invention by a PVC-process or a plasma-CVD-process wherein the electrical potential difference between the substrate and the ionized coating material is selected to enhance the inhomogeneity of the coating.