In this study, we report the tribological properties of hot-pressed S-sialon ceramics. In our experiments, the tribological properties have been studied against bearing grade steel, alumina, and sialon using a ball-on-flat fretting tribometer under dry unlubricated conditions. While the steady-state coefficient of friction (COF) remains the same (0.63) irrespective of the counterbody, the wear rate varies in the range of 10(-5)-10(-6) mm(3)/N.m, depending on the counterbody. Tribochemical wear as well as adhesion and abrasion are found to be the underlying mechanisms for material removal. The possible influence of Hertzian contact stress and the contact temperature increase on the possible damage mechanisms/tribological interaction has been analyzed.