Abstract: A method is disclosed for applying hard tungsten carbide particles to the surface of metal stabilizers used in the drilling of oil, gas, geothermal and water wells. The process consists of applying a soft, elastic metal powder to the surface of the substrate. Large tungsten carbide particles, which have also been coated with the soft powder, are placed on top of the layer of soft powder. The particles are then covered with additional soft powder, which powder is then fused to form a homogeneous, large tungsten carbide particle containing mixture bonded to the substrate. A hard matrix is applied and fused over the large tungsten carbide particle containing mixture. The large tungsten carbide particles, which have a low coefficient of expansion, are thereby contained in a soft elastic metal matrix which acts as an expansion and cushion material, while the hard matrix presents a less resilient, more wear resistant surface.