The focus of this paper is to determine the friction and wear characteristics between conventional metal-metal contacts and cermet-metal contacts. A WC-Co based cermet, applied by the High Velocity Oxy-Fuel (HVOF) process on a carbon steel substrate has been investigated in contact with cast iron pins. That has been compared with conventional carbon steel/cast iron couples. A mineral oil and a mineral oil containing the additive zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP) were used as the lubricants. The formation of a wear film has been shown to vary on the metal and cermet surface. The friction and wear response and the wear film nature are discussed.