Abstract Two types of commercial WC-Ni samples were irradiated with Door Chest the High-intensity pulsed ion beam (HIPIB).Both the surface characteristics and tribo-characteristics of the non-irradiated and irradiated WC-Ni samples, sliding against graphite under water lubrication, were compared.Quite low steady friction Water Bottles coefficients (approximately of 0.
02) of the irradiated WC-Ni were observed.The surface topographies and components were investigated.The quite low friction of the irradiated WC-Ni samples was ascribed to the higher fluid retention capability of the latter and the tribofilm formed during sliding.