Abstract: PPS coating and carbon fiber reinforced PPS composite coating were prepared on AISI1045 steel substrate by flame spraying. Microstructure and morphology of coalescent with substrate of coating were studied with FTIR and SEM. Friction and wear characteristics of PPS coating and carbon fiber reinforced PPS composite coating under water and dry sliding against stainless steel were comparatively investigated using a block-ring tester. Worn surface of composite coating and counterpart steel ring were investigated using SEM. Typical elements on the counterpart steel ring were analyzed by XPS. In dry sliding friction of carbon reinforced PPS composite coating exhibited lower friction coefficient and higher wear rate than pure PPS coating did. But under water lubrication PPS composite coating exhibited excellent tribological performance with lower friction and wear rate in comparison with pure PPS coating. Under water lubrication, water play the role of cooling and washing, so transfer film had smaller effect on the tribological behavior of composite coating than under dry sliding. Wear mechanism of composite coating under dry sliding and water lubrication is different.