Specific surface structures of ZrO 2 + TiO 2 (I) and ZrO 2 + CeO x + TiO 2 (II) coatings on titanium before and after annealing at 850°C for 24 h in air are studied. Whiskers are found on the surface of type I coatings before annealing, and perfectly edged crystals composed of TiO 2 and ZrO 2 oxides are found upon annealing. Pores in both coatings have a multilevel structure. In the case of type I coatings, orifices of pores are covered with titanium. In type II coatings, pore orifices contain titanium, zirconium, and oxygen. Oxy gen deficiency implies that titanium and zirconium are present in pore orifices in metallic state. In type II coatings, the surface distribution of cerium is heterogeneous. Mechanical treatment of the annealed coatings causes their exfoliation from the substrate metal. In the case of both coatings, the exfoliating surfaces are composed of TiO 2 blocks containing excess oxygen.