the paper studies mechanical properties (in particular, adhesion characteristics), as well as wear and failure pattern of nano-structured multilayered composite coating ti-tin-(nbzrAl)n. cutting properties of a carbide tool with the above coating are studied in turning of steel c45, in comparison with an uncoated tool and a tool with reference coating tin. it was found that tool life of the tool with the coating under study is 2.7-3.6 times higher than tool life of the uncoated tool and 1.8-2.2 times higher than that tool life of the tool with coating tin. the conducted microstructural studies have shown a significant difference in wear and failure mechanisms and, in particular, in mechanisms of cracking, for the coating under study and the coating tin. Failure mechanism of coating in the course of the study of strength of adhesion bonds is consistent with its failure mechanism during the study of cutting properties.