[en] Radial injection of powders in traditional DC plasma torches induces powder classification as the larger particles tend to pass through the plasma while the smaller particles tend to bounce off. This effect is minimized with axial injection torches in which powders are injected in the center of the plasma stream. In this configuration, powders can follow a nearly-optimum trajectory with little or no segregation. This promotes high deposition rates and deposition efficiencies. In the present work, the temperature, velocity and diameter of particles sprayed using a new commercial axial injection torch were measured. The particle diagnosis was carried out by detecting the thermal radiation emitted by the hot particles. Particle velocities of 380 and 550 m/sec are reached with WC-Co and titanium powders, respectively. When titanium particles are sprayed in air, their temperature increases as they move away from the torch due to exothermic reaction with air