Hafnium nitride monolayer coatings were deposited as thin films on high-speed steel by magnetron sputtering physical vapor deposition. Uncoated high-speed steels ASSAB 17 were used as reference systems, for machining on AISI1020 steel by chip removal, measuring the temperature during the process. Wear resistance of the tools was characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, and through of the surfaces of the steel using a roughness tester. It was evidenced that the use of monolayer hafnium coatings on uncoated high-speed steel reduces the adhesive wear of the tool and the energy transfer during the cutting process. Also, hafnium nitride coating offers advantages in its application to chip removal process of ferrous metals, by increasing the life of the tool, improving the quality of the work piece, and reducing cutting process time and cost.