Failure mechanisms of a tungsten-modified hydrogenated amorphous carbon coating in load-scanning tests

► FIB-assisted microstructural study of failure of a-C:H:W in load-scanning tests. ► In sliding against steel (pressure 1-3 GPa), coating fails locally for p > 2 GPa. ► Below adhered steel, small shear cracks form within a-C:H:W top layer. ► In a-C:H:W/a-C:H:W contact, coating material sticks to itself. ► Investigated a-C:H:W coating shows clear signs of ductile material behaviour.