Metal non-oxide coated substrates having an outer coating derived from the substrate are disclosed. The three dimensional inorganic substrate having a coating of metal non-oxide on at least a portion of all three dimensions thereof produced by a unique process, have particular applicability to the manufacture of metal boride, carbide and nitride coated three dimensional substrates. Certain novel coated substrates such as flakes, spheres and elongated substrates are disclosed. The coated substrates are useful in polymers, catalysis, heating and shielding applications.