Abstract The paper deals with the assessment of systems properties on the heating coat basis - the steel substrate in terms of the adhesion and coatings structure. On S235JRG1 steel substrate the ceramic and composite coatings on the Al2O3 basis were made for research purpose by the technology of plasma heating spraying with a water stabilized arc. The content effect of Ni metallic component to the base Al2O3 powder was examined on the adhesion and composite coatings structure. Adhesion tests were examined in terms of STN EN 582 (Thermal spraying. Determination of tensile adhesive strength). Coatings were further evaluated by a hardness measurement, chemical and microscopic analysis. Adhesion tests proved the Ni metallic powder addition markedly increases the adhesion of composite heating sprayed coatings and allows their creation without an interlayer utilization. The composite coating contains fewer defects in term of pores and cavities occurrence and rifts in the first place which are caused by dilatation strains during a setting process.