Thermally sprayed polymer coatings have been used as protection against corrosion and wear. The aim of this study was to produce coated steel with a blend film with low-velocity combustion thermal spraying and a fusion technique and to evaluate its chemical degradation with infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. The substrate used was carbon steel coated with recycled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), an ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer (EMAA), or PET-EMAA blends. The degradation of the material was evaluated with an ultraviolet condensation-weathering test and a salt-spray test. Measurements of hardness and adhesion were carried out. The tribological properties of the polymeric films were evaluated with a pin-on-disc test. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.