The present note describes the process settled for analysis of coated conta
cts submitted either to a normal load or a tangential one. This hybrid meth
od uses a Finite Element Method in addition to the experimental results. Ef
fects of a soft coating and a hard layer are studied on elastic contact par
ameters (F.E.M.), and on the resistance to fretting fatigue (experimentatio
n + F.E.M.). The use of Dang Van criterion allows us to determine the crack
initiation threshold. (C) 2001 Academie des sciences/Editions scientifique
s et medicales Elsevier SAS.