Abstract This paper examines the bonding characteristics of HVOF sprayed layers. In order to determine the dominant adhesion mechanism, the coatings are applied to substrates of varying surface roughness with powder particles that are completely melted, in one case, and only partially melted, with solid and liquid phases, in another. The spray materials are NiCrBSi and WC-Co. The results of adhesion tests showed that the adhesion of the NiCrBSi layer on the roughened substrate was approximately 40 MPa, while there was no adhesion on the polished substrate. In contrast, the adhesion strength of the WC-Co layer on the polished substrate was between 20 and 40 MPa, and on the roughened substrate, it exceeded that of the binder materials. Paper includes a German-language abstract.