The elastic-plastic axisymmetric contact between a rigid ball and TiN coatings of varying thickness on various substrates has been simulated using the finite element method. Yield strengths and modulus values representing typical values for high-speed steel, titanium and aluminium alloys differentiated between the substrates. The effects of such important parameters as the thickness of the TiN coating and properties of the substrate material on the initiation and development of plastic deformation and the load bearing capacity of the TiN coating/substrate systems have been investigated. The results show that in most of the coating/substrate systems, plastic deformation is initiated in the substrate at the coating/substrate interface and plastic deformation does not initiate in the TiN coating until a large plastic zone has been developed in the substrate. Substrate strength and coating thickness have a significant influence on the plastic deformation behaviour and the load bearing capacity of the composite. In light of the finite element analysis results, the mechanisms of coating failure are also briefly discussed.