This work focussed on assessing the contact conditions driving the adhesion tendency of PVD TiAlN coated cemented carbide during reciprocating sliding against a normalized AISI 4137 carbon steel. A special emphasis is given to the surface topography of the coating. Results are analysed in terms of friction and material transfer over a large range of temperatures (up to 800 °C) and contact pressures. The post-test surface analysis of the specimens is conducted in order to understand the tribological behaviour and elucidate the formation mechanisms of transfer layers. A numerical model is developed to assess the amount of heat effectively transmitted into the first bodies and the temperature of the surfaces in contact.Whereas temperatures close to 400 °C ensure the formation of a stable tribofilm reducing friction, the highest temperatures lead to unstable frictional behaviour. Coating surface topography has been seen to be a major parameter driving material transfer during the first stages of the contact and the formation of a transfer layer. Thin and homogeneous layers are almost instantaneously formed with a polished surface whereas some time is required with a rougher one to form a film. A large amount of the frictional power is dissipated into these layers and high temperatures can be reached at the surface due to frictional heating. Contact pressure is found to be a parameter promoting transfer and oxidation