A composite Zn/ZnS coating was prepared by a novel compound technology-combining high velocity arc spraying and low temperature ion sulfurizing in this paper. The surface and cross-section morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern for the Zn/ZnS coating implies that it mainly consists of Zn and ZnS. The nanohardness and elastic modulus were measured by a nano-indentation tester. The tribological behaviors were investigated on a ball-on-disk wear tester under dry condition. The results showed that the friction coefficient and worn depth of the composite Zn/ZnS coating were low and stable, indicating that it had excellent friction-reduction and anti-wear properties under dry condition. (C) 2011 Elsevier B. V. All rights reserved.