Cored wires for electric arc spraying of Al/Al 2 O 3 MMC coatings were developed, with Al 2 O 3 powder as the core material and commercial aluminium strip as the retaining sheath. The bond strength, Al 2 O 3 content, microstructure, micro-hardness and wear resistance of coatings produced by arc spraying of the cored wires were experimentally investigated and were compared with those of pure aluminum coating.