Carbon nanofibers were applied into the pores of the porous anodic oxide film (AOF) on aluminum to improve the wear properties of the alumina film. This encompassed an initial formation of an ordered porous AOF by re-anodizing in oxalic acid and a subsequent development of the carbon precursors within the pores via the polymerization of acrylonitrile within the pores of AOF After polymerization, a series of heat-treating conditions convert the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) polymer structure into a quasi-graphic structure. The sliding wear and friction properties of self-lubrication films were measured by means of a ball-on-plate apparatus using a steel ball as a counterface. The results showed that self-lubricating treatment could improve the wear properties of porous anodic film more efficiently. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.