This study compares the performance of CVD coated tungsten-carbide tools having an intermediate Al2O3 layer to low content PCBN tools in hard turning of D2 tool steel (52HRC). Results revealed that the coated carbide tool can outperform PCBN in machining the selected workpiece material within a certain range of cutting speeds (cutting temperature range). This is associated with tribo-film formation on the coated carbide tool surface. SEM and EDS were used to study the wear patterns of the used cutting tools. The tribo-films were investigated using the X-ray photoelectron method (XPS). The cutting temperature was measured using tool-workpiece thermocouple technique. The formation of the tribo-films was found to be highly-dependent on the cutting temperature and friction kinetics control at the tool–chip interface. Lubricious Cr–O tribo-films formed on the surface of the coated carbide tool, improving tool life at cutting speeds up to 100m/min, which relates to an average tool–chip interface temperature up to 930°C. •Temperature conditions during hard turning using PCBN tools vs. multilayer CVD coated carbide tools have been investigated.•Severing of cutting conditions requires different materials for surface protection.•Two options have to be considered: material with strong refractory properties and material with increased lubricious characteristics.•The main scientific finding is that XPS analysis showed the formation of Ti-O and Cr-O tribo-films at the interface of the coated carbide and moderates the tool wear.•In this case PCBN exposes its exceptional refractory properties and has the longer tool life due to its higher hot hardness.