Friction and endurance of MoS2/ta-C coatings produced by Laser Arc deposition

► MoS2/ta-C double-layer coatings were produced by Laser Arc technology. ► The ta-C underlayer has a beneficial effect on both, the wear and the friction behaviour of MoS2. ► Ta-C underlayer provides sufficient low friction and excellent wear resistance in environments where the MoS2 coating fails.► The results indicate very low friction for some coating variants with an endurance up to 500,000 cycles.