Patent ID: 8178213

Claim:
A method for applying a multilayer wear resistant coating on a metallic, optionally already coated, surface wherein the multilayer wear-resistant coating is composed of at least first and second anti-wear layers each consisting of a diamond-like carbon (DLC) material and an intermediate layer arranged between the first and second anti-wear layers, in which the first anti-wear layer is arranged on the metallic, optionally already coated, surface, said intermediate layer having a first transition region that extends away from said first anti-wear layer and contains (DLC) material, and a second transition region extending towards said second anti-wear layer which contains said DLC material, wherein said method includes applying the intermediate layer while adjusting its composition so that a concentration of said DLC material in the first transition region decreases as a function of an increasing distance from the metallic surface, and the concentration of said DLC material increases in the second transition region as a function of the increasing distance from the metallic surface, and said intermediate layer has at least 5 by weight of said DLC material at every point.