Metal/diamond binary composite coatings on Al substrate without grit blasting were deposited by cold spray process with insitu powder preheating. Microstructural characterization of the as-sprayed coatings with different diamond size, strength and with/without Ti coating on diamond was carried out by OM and SEM. The assessment of basic properties such as tensile bond strength and hardness of the coatings, and the deposition efficiency was also carried out. Particular attention on the composite coatings was on the diamond fracture phenomenon during the cold spray deposition and the interface bonding between the diamond and the Fe-based metal matrix.