Linear reciprocating wear test is carried out on atmospheric plasma-sprayed Al₂O₃–Cr₂O₃ coatings applied on steel substrates. Linear bi-directional sliding wear test of the coatings is performed at different loading and sliding conditions such as load (10, 20 and 30 N), reciprocating amplitude (1.5, 3 and 6 mm) andfrequency (5, 10, 15 and 20 Hz) using ball on flat linear reciprocating tribometer. The patterns of tribological behaviour of the coatings, as manifested at the tribo-contact surface, are judged. Results have shown that the wear rate increases with increasing applied load and frequency and that decreases with increasing reciprocating amplitude. Plastic deformation, detachments of unmelted core, reattachments, delamination and adhesive wear dominate the main failure mechanism of coating.