The objective of this research was to study the formation of the thick hardened layer with the addition of metal powder(Cu) and ceramics powders(TiC) on the aluminum 5083 alloys by plasma transferred arc process(PTA process) and to characterize the effect of overlaying conditions on the overlaid layer formation. This was followed by investigating the microstructures of the overlaid layers and mechanical properties such as hardness and wear resistance. The overlaid layer containing copper powder was alloyed and intermetallic compound($CuAl_2$) was formed. The overlaid layers with high melting point TiC powders, however, did not react with base metal. Wear resistance of the alloyed layer was remarkably improved by the formation of $CuAl_2$, precipitate phase, which prevented wear of base aluminum alloys and at higher wear speed, accelerated sliding of the counter part. Wear resistance of the composite layer was also remarkably improved because TiC powder act as a load barring element and Fe debris fragments detached from the counter part act as a solid lubricant on the contact surface.