The impact of plasma sprayed sieved Ni-5%Al particles on a titanium substrate was investigated. The particles had a narrow diameter range (-65 + 75 µm), and a speed and temperature just prior to impact of about 100m/s and 2400°C, respectively. These powder particles were sprayed on two sets of polished titanium alloy surfaces. One set was a non-oxidized surface and the other one was a previously oxidized surface at 600°C for two hours. Resulting splats were characterised experimentally by infrared pyrometry and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of the substrate’s oxide layer on the shape of the splat, also on the cooling rate and flattening speed during impact were studied and discussed. This problem is also being investigated numerically. A first step was devoted to the selection of relevant simulation parameters. Test cases to study qualitatively the effect of surface oxidation through parameters such as the contact angle and thermal contact resistance are in progress. They will be compared to the experimental results.