AbstractTwo closed field unbalanced magnetrons with aluminium and molybdenum targets were used for the codeposition of Al-Mo coatings with different compositions. A pin on disc machine and a computer controlled potentiostat were used to evaluate the tribological and corrosion properties of the deposited alloys respectively. Results show that introducing molybdenum into aluminium coatings improves their poor tribological properties; Al-Mo coatings with different compositions showed low wear behaviour and for coatings with high molybdenum contents (>80% ) friction coefficients against steel as low as 0·18 were obtained. The addition of molybdenum to aluminium coatings reduced their tendency to corrode and corrosion current density in a marine environment.