Abstract 
The article deals with the assessment of some properties of plasma sprayed coatings based on ZrSiO4 doped with different volume fractions of metal dopant (Ni). The work was aimed on verification the possibility to replace the application of Ni interlayer by adding Ni directly to the ceramic powder and apply them together in a single technological operation. The coatings were studied from point of view of their structure and construction using light and electron microscopy, their porosity using image analysis and mercury porosimetry and also adhesion of the coatings in relation to the volume of dopant added. The best properties reached composite coating doped with 12 wt. % Ni.