Powertrain component with adherent amorphous or nanocrystalline ceramic coating system

A powertrain component in an internal combustion engine, the powertrain component comprsing:

• a coating system including a film and an interlayer;
• the film being selected from a first group comprising at least one of amorphous or nanocrystalline silicon nitride, silicon carbide, silicon dioxide, silicon oxy-nitride, silicon-aluminum-oxy-nitride, titania, and zirconia, the film being formed on the powertrain component, the film imparting the characteristics of low friction and wear resistance to the component;
• the interlayer being formed between the film and the component, the interlayer accommodating stresses engendered by formation of the film, providing mechanical support to the film, and chemical compatibility between the film and the substrate, thereby improving adherence of the film to the substrate.