Abstract: The surface of ceramic friction component was copper plated chemically to improve the combination situation between ceramic phase and matrix of the copper-based powder metallurgy friction materials, thus the friction and wear properties of the materials were improved. Cu-plated Al₂O₃ particles and non-Cu-plated Al₂O₃ particles were adopted respectively, friction and wear specimens of Al₂O₃-Fe-Sn-C/Cu were fabricated by mixing, pressing and pressure sintering with copper powder, iron powder and so on. The microstructures, mechanical properties, friction and wear properties of friction materials were measured and analyzed. Results show that the copper-plating of friction components makes the combination between hard particles and copper matrix tight. The Brinell hardness of friction material is improved by 12%, the elastic modulus is improved by about 7%, the friction coefficient is increased by 5%-10%, and the linear wear loss is reduced by 20%-50%. In addition, Al₂O₃ particles plated with copper on the surface are difficult to fall off, and the friction coefficient stability is increased by 13%-23%. Therefore, the overall performance of the materials can be improved by copper-plating on the surface of friction component.