The frictional contact between the slipping diamond indenter and the thin-coating/substrate composite material during scratch test is analysed by finite element analysis. The normal and tangential force on indenter, the tangential stress in the coating and the interfacial stresses are obtained. Different coating/substrate material systems are used to analyse the influence of different material properties of coating and substrate. Because of the high shear stress at the interfaces the interfacial shear stress may be the main reason for damage of the coating/substrate interfaces. When the indenter is slipping, tangential tensile stress is caused in the coating behind the indenter, while in front of the indenter the tangential stress is compressive.