In the present study, Chromium Nitride (CrN) and Aluminium Chromium Nitride (AlCrN) coatings were deposited on an aluminium 6061 substrate, by means of physical vapour deposition (PVD) process. The microstructures of the coated films were characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM). The CrN coating was high dense and less porous when compared with AlCrN coating obtained on the AA 6061 substrate. The phases present on the coated layer were identified using X-Ray diffraction analysis. The hardness was measured using the nano-indenter for the coated samples. The CrN coating gives higher hardness and Young's modulus when compared to the AlCrN coating. Surface roughness of the coated films were measured using the atomic force microscope (AFM) and was found that the surface roughness was lesser for CrN coating while related to AlCrN coating and substrate. The corrosion test was conducted for the CrN and AlCrN coated samples using potentiodynamic polarization test. The corrosion resistance was higher for the CrN coating, while compared with AlCrN coating © 2019 Elsevier Ltd.