Methods for sub-austenite transformation temperature deposition of inorganic particles and articles produced by the same

A method of applying an inorganic material to a metal substrate that comprises a metallic material that undergoes transformation to an austenitic phase at an austenite transformation temperature, the method comprising:

• depositing inorganic particles onto a surface of the metal substrate at a deposition temperature that does not cause the metallic material to exceed the austenite transformation temperature of the metallic material;
• further comprising, prior to deposition of inorganic particles, depositing a layer of titanium nitride on the surface of the metal substrate at a first temperature above the austenite transformation temperature of the metallic material of the metal substrate, and
• cooling the layer of titanium nitride and the metal substrate to a second temperature below the martensite transformation temperature of the metallic material such that austenite formed in the metallic material during deposition of the layer of titanium nitride is transformed to martensite.