TiC-containing diamond-like carbon(TiC-DLC)nanocomposite coatings were deposited by a rectangular cathodic arc ion-plating system using C_2H_2 as reacting gas.Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis show that with increasing flow rate of C_2H_2,the structure of nanocomposite coatings changes from TiC nanograin-containing to graphite nanograin-containing DLC.The hardness measurements show that the hardness decreases from 28 GPa to 18 GPa with increasing C_2H_2 flow rate.The scratch test show that a high critical load(>40 N)was obtained and exhibited a good adhesion between the coating and the substrate.Wear experiment shows that the friction coefficient of TiC-DLC nanocomposite coatings decreases with increasing C_2H_2.A low friction coefficient of 0.07 was obtained at 480 sccm C_2H_2.