Abstract - Tribofilms formed on won surface protect the DLC coating surface and decrease the fiction coefficient. However it is very difficult to evaluate their micromechanical properties due to their small thickness, inhomogeneity and discontinuity. The phase contrast images in tapping mode atomic farce microscopy allow an estimation of inhomogeneity in micromechanical properties of the sample surface. The purpose of this investigation is to demonstrate how the phase contrast images contribute to the characterization of thin tribofilms.