To modify the metal/nonmetal surface properties like hardness, wear and corrosion resistance, surface coating technology is the easiest and inexpensive method. Out of various surface coating methods, the sputter coating technique is one of the prominent methods to improve surface properties. Sputter coating techniques are widely used in aerospace, automobile, solar panels, and various engineering fields to improve the surface properties. The present study focused on various materials used in the sputter coating techniques to develop thin films on various components. The influence of coating materials on hardness, wear and corrosion resistance of the various materials like steels, magnesium and their alloys are also explained in detail in this review.