Ni/P/single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) composite coatings as well as Ni/P coating have been prepared successfully by electroless plating technique. The tribological properties of the composite coatings were investigated by a friction and wear tester. Comparing with Ni/P coating, Ni/P/SWNTs composite coatings showed not only higher wear resistance but also lower friction coefficient. The electrochemical properties of the composite coatings were studied using electrochemical workstation system. The corrosion behavior of the composite coatings was evaluated by polarization curves in 0.1 M NaCl solution at room temperature. It was noted that the amorphous Ni/P/SWNTs composite coatings provided higher corrosion resistance than the amorphous Ni/P coating. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.