Detonation gun-sprayed cermet coatings containing complex ternary transition metal borides as hard particles dispersed in a stainless steel or nickel-based superalloy matrix have been characterized to ascertain the effects of crystallinity and distribution of hard particles on the wear properties. Optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and analytical transmission electron microscopy (AEM) were used for characterization. Moreover, abrasive wear resistance of coatings was evaluated with a rubber wheel abrasion testing system.