The tailoring of thin film coatings comprised of high strength constituents,
such as diamond like carbon and partially stabilized zirconia and ductile
constituents, such as gold and molybdenum is investigated by new
microstructurally-based finite-element techniques for applications related
to the wear, durability, and performance of these coatings over a broad
range of temperatures and loading conditions. The effects of contact
transfer films, grain-shape sizes and distributions, grain-boundary
structure and sliding, texture, and strength are used to determine the
optimal thin film coating compositions. Comparisons are made with
experimental measurements and observations, and guidelines for optimal thin
film composite coatings are proposed.