Abstract: A gimbal assembly of a single or dual stage actuator is provided with a layer of Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) as a middle layer at a tongue/dimple interface where a dimple of a supporting loadbeam contacts a tongue on the gimbal assembly. Using the DLC at the tongue/dimple interface greatly reduces the amount of fretting wear particles formed during operation of the microactuator. The reduced wear at the dimple/gimbal interface may provide more stable dynamics over time. The DLC middle layer may be applied on the tongue, or on the tongue only at the tongue/dimple interface, or the DLC may be applied to the dimple.