Abstract: An erosion and corrosion resistant coating is formed of a plurality of alternating layers of metallic and ceramic materials. The two materials selected for the layers have complementary wear resistant characteristics, such that one is relatively ductile and the other is relatively brittle. The concentration of the two materials at the interface between adjacent layers is graded to improve the adhesion of the layers and to provide a more unified coating. Preferably radio-frequency sputtering is employed to deposit the coating, since it does not produce excessive heating which could negate any prior heat treatment of the substrate onto which the coating is deposited.