Abstract: Powders of oxidized polyarylene sulfide and powders comprising from 1 to 99% by weight of oxidized polyarylene sulfide and from 1 to 99% by weight of a metal, carbide, ceramic or high temperature polyimide, polyamide imide, polyester imide and aromatic polyester plastic, or a mixture thereof are very suitable for use in thermal spraying and thereby form coatings having a strong chemical and mechanical resistance and high dimensional stability when exposed to high and low temperatures. Such coatings are advantageous for use as abradable seal clearance control coating in the compressor section of gas turbine engines, motor vehicle turbochargers and superchargers, and for use as a coating of reaction vessels, kitchen ware, sealings or bearings.