The tribological properties of FeAl intermetallics under dry sliding against AISI52100 steel at ambient conditions were studied on an Optimol SRV oscillating friction and wear tester in a ball-on-disc contact configuration. Effects of load and sliding speed on tribological properties of the FeAl intermetallics were investigated. The worn surfaces of the FeAl intermetallics were examined with a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the FeAl intermetallics had better wear resistance than the AISI52100 steel. An adhered oxide debris layer was formed on the worn surface in friction. Area and thickness of the friction layer varied with variety of sliding speed but did not vary with load. The oxide layer contributed to decreased wear but increased friction. Wear rate of the material increased with the load, but dramatically decreased at first and then slightly decreased with the sliding speed. The friction coefficient of the material was 0.45-0.60, and did not change with the load, but increased with sliding speed at first, and then tended to be a constant value. Wear mechanism of the material was transformed from microfracture to surface fatigue with increase of sliding speed. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.