Abstract: Methods of making composite articles wherein at least a portion of a hardsurface wear protection applied to a composite article includes matrix composite and hard elements with channels between the hard elements. A layered preform coating mat may be applied over a substrate of the composite article and then fused thereto to form channels between hard elements in the coating mat. The channels may extend over the entire outer surface of the composite article or only over a portion thereof. A hybrid layered preform coating mat may include a depressed section adapted for receiving a perforated braze preform inlay. When the coating mat is fused to the substrate, channels may be formed between the hard elements in the depressed section, but not in a non-depressed section.