Modeling of the fracture of a coating under sliding indentation

The problem of fracture initiation of a coating subjected to sliding indentation with a normal and a tangential force was analyzed. As a model material, a hybrid organic–inorganic coating was used. The critical flaw depth as determined by different models for the formation of partial cone cracks is compared. The influence of the underlying substrate is considered. A simple brittle fracture model seems sufficient to estimate the depth of a flaw that leads to fracture.