Titanium nitride (TiN) coatings were prepared on HS 6-5-2 high-speed steel cutting inserts and next implanted either with Al ions (fluence 2×10 17 ions/cm 2 ) or with Al and N ions (fluence (1+1)×10 17 ions/cm 2 ) on the rake face. Microhardness and friction coefficient of the implanted surfaces were examined. A noticeable increase of microhardness in Al implanted inserts has been observed.The elemental composition and structural properties of the surface layer were examined by glow discharge optical emission spectroscopy (GDOES) and gliding angle X-ray diffraction (XRD).The tests of turning of 40H constructional steel with the cutting inserts have shown an improvement in the implanted inserts, especially marked in those implanted with Al+N.