Linear sliding wear behavior studied for metal composites. Different types of composites were tested and three different fabrication techniques: two foundry techniques with different volume fraction and particulates size and thermal projection. The results show that the lubrication has a strong effect on the wear rate. The composites did not wear when tested under oil lubrication conditions, while the cable wore rapidly. The opposite phenomena occurred when dry tests were performed: the cable was protected while the specimen wore quickly. The critical volume fraction, i.e. the minimum volume fraction of particulates for protecting the composites, is on the order of 10%, whatever the size of the reinforcement. This minimum volume fraction does not seem to significantly depend on the size of the particulates. Finally, it was observed that the wear rate of the composite is the lowest for composites reinforced by a low percentage of particulates. A mechanical model describes the behavior of both partners (cable and MMC)
