Fe-15 mass%Al (Fe 3 Al-based) and alloys with various carbon contents (0, 0.5, 1 and 2 mass%) were produced to study the effect of carbon addition on microstructure, mechanical properties and tribological properties of Fe-Al intermetallics. Carbon addition to the Fe-15Al alloy led to the formation of perovskite-type Fe 3 AlC 0.5 carbides in the matrix, while carbon was present in the form of graphite in the Fe-25Al alloy. The formation of Fe 3 AlC 0.5 carbides resulted in a significant strengthening effect on the Fe-15Al alloy, but the strengthening was accompanied by a great loss in ductility. In the Fe-25Al alloy, the strength and ductility were slightly reduced by the formation of graphite. The tribological properties were determined using ball-on-disk sliding wear test in the range of room temperature to 773 K. It was demonstrated that the carbon addition significantly improved the room temperature friction coefficient and wear rate of both Fe-15Al and Fe-25Al alloys, but it tended to decrease the wear rate of these alloys at elevated temperatures. The tribological properties were discussed in terms of microstrutural features and mechanical properties.