Porous metallic coatings were prepared from three commercial alloy powders on 16MnCr5 steel by cold flame spraying. The mechanical characterisation of the coatings was performed by Vickers microindentation and debonding tests. Porosity was determined by image analysis of the optical micrographs of the polished cross-sections. The coatings were impregnated with motor oil 15W40 with the aim of preparing a lubricating system. The amounts of oil uptake and release by the coatings were determined under controlled conditions. The surfaces of the coatings were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and wettability studies. The amounts of oil uptake and release showed inverse relationship with the oxygen concentration at the surface and also with the Lifshitz-van der Waals component of surface energy. These relationships offer the possibility of controlling the lubrication properties of cold flame-sprayed and oil-impregnated porous metallic coatings. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.