Identification of the wear mechanism on WC/C nanostructured coatings

► Comprehensive overview on the tribomechanical properties of WC/C films by analysis of their structural and chemical features. ► Raman spectroscopy is used to correlate changes occuring on coating surfaces during friction test with the wear mechanism. ► Failure modes by scratch testing as a tool for understanding the deformation processes induced during sliding friction. ► The evaluation of the fraction of free carbon allows to understand and predict the tribological and mechanical behaviour.