Dual-wire arc sprayed Al/Al2O3 MMC coatings have been successfully applied to shipboard and other steel structures. However, the feed wire used is difficult to produce, restricting the application potential of the method. To avoid this difficulty, arc sprayable cored wire was developed, with Al2O3 powder as the filling material and commercial aluminum strip as the retaining sheath. Arc sprayed coatings made from cored Al/Al2O3 wire have been characterized based on bond strength, Al2O3 content, microstructure, microhardness, and wear resistance, and the results are compared with those of pure aluminium coatings.