Thermal spray coating process and thermal spray coating materials

Process for arc wire spraying for depositing material layers, in particular slide bearing layers, wherein at least one oxygen containing atomizing gas and one fuel gas are supplied to the spray device, which are combusted in a burn chamber in the immediate vicinity or behind the arc under the influence of a part of the oxygen containing atomizing gas and following the exit from the nozzle a flame jet or spout produces wherein that by the oxidation of the metallic components of the spray wire a metal oxide layer is formed at least on the outer surface of the spray droplets, as well as material layers, in particular bearing layers, of Cu-containing alloys with metal oxide microstructure segregated areas, wherein the material exhibits a lamella like microstructure of thicker lamellas of Cu-alloys and thinner lamellas of metal oxide, wherein the lamellas are oriented primarily parallel to the substrate of the base material.