The operating performance of a substrate/coating couple relies, for a
large part, on the resistance to cracking of its interface. Looking fo
r an intrinsic property representative of this behaviour is the goal o
f many recent studies. Here, an apparent interface toughness is deduce
d from a model based on the results of interfacial indentation tests,
the elastic properties as well as the relative plastic deformations un
dergone by the coating and the substrate during indentation.