Two grades of WC/Co hardmetals, a fine-grained sample and coarse-grained sample, were tested using single and multiple scratch tests with a spherical diamond stylus. The variation in damage mechanism with increasing number of scratch repeats was analysed using SEM, FIB and 3D confocal microscopy. An interesting feature is the formation of a thin tribo-layer on the surface of the scratched region, which becomes more evident at increased scratch repeats. Variations in the coefficient of friction were attributed to changes in the topography of the stylus and formation of a tribo-layer on the scratched surface.