Thermally sprayed hardmetal coatings have a typical thickness within the range 100–500 μm. Thus, thermal
spray enables the functionality of hardmetals to be realized on the surface of large parts, which cannot be produced
by powder metallurgy for technical and economical reasons. This article reviews the different types of
thermal spray processes, with particular focus on the high velocity HVOF and HVAF deposition techniques
which are ofmost relevance to the application of hardmetal coatings. Feedstock powder preparation technologies
are presented. The majority of hardmetal thermal spray coatings are based either onWC or Cr3C2 or hard phases
appearing as a result of their interaction. As an alternative, TiC-based compositions aremost intensively studied.
Thermal spraying generates significant changes in the hardmetal chemical and phase compositions between the
feedstock powder to the sprayed coating. Coating formation and microstructures as well as selected properties,
such as hardness, the effect of heat treatments and the oxidation in service, as well as corrosion resistance are
discussed. As an example for wear protection applications, abrasion wear resistance is shortly discussed.