Advanced electrode compositions were developed using self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). Electrospark deposition (ESD) was applied to produce tribological coatings which were disperse-strengthened by incorporation of nanosized particles. Nanostructured electrodes of cemented carbides were produced using powder metallurgy technologies. They allow increasing the coatings density, thickness, hardness, Young's modulus and wear resistance. Positive effects of the nanostructure of electrodes on the deposition process and structure and properties of the coatings are discussed. In that case the tungsten carbide phases become predominant in the coatings. A mechanism of the dissolution reaction of WC with Ni at the contact surface of electrode was proposed. It was shown that the formation of the coating structure starts on the electrode and is accomplished on the substrate. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.