This study utilized electroless nickel as an interlayer, then coated nanoscale CrN/ZrN multilayer on Cu-alloyed ductile iron through cathodic arc deposition method. Morphology and structure of the coatings were analyzed by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Moreover, Rockwell-C indentation, nanoindention, and ball-on-disk wear tests were all carried out to explore the properties of the coatings consisting of adhesion, hardness, elastic modulus, friction coefficient, and wear rate, respectively. The results showed that electroless nickel had a major amorphous phase while the CrN/ZrN multilayer coatings exhibited alternate nanocrystalline CrN and ZrN phases. Compared with single coating of electroless nickel or CrN/ZrN, the CrN/ZrN multilayer coatings with an electroless nickel interlayer exhibited higher hardness (31.1 GPa) and elastic modulus (256.4 GPa). Consequently, the ductile iron with the duplex coatings could be available to reduce both the friction coefficient and wear rate. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.