Abstract: The mutually sliding members of a joint implant are each coated with a hard material selected from the group consisting of titanium carbide, oxicarbide, nitride, oxinitride, carbonitride and oxicarbonitride in order to improve the sliding, wear resistance and adhesion properties of the members.A hip joint prosthesis is provided having a socket bowl coated with titanium (oxi)nitride or titanium (oxi)carbonitride with a thickness of from 2 to 3 microns and an articular head coated with titanium (oxi)carbide or titanium (oxi)carbonitride with a thickness of from 2 to 3 microns.