Abstract
Low elastic stiffness of coatings and of free-standing parts prepared by thermal spraying is explained as an effect of microcracks between and inside the splats. Two theoretical models are used for estimates of the elastic constants: imperfect bonding between the "bricks" and representation of the microcracks by hollow flat rotational ellipsoids.
Both models describe the elastic anisotropy of the material (the so-called transverse isotropy with five independent elastic constants), the decrease of Young moduli in comparison with bulk material without microcracks and different behaviour in tension and in compression.

Key words
low elastic stiffness, coatings, microcracks

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