This study intended to investigate the effect of tribological parameters on wear mechanisms and friction coefficient for homogeneous and heterogeneous materials. Particularly, effects of particle geometry and normal load on the tribological behaviour of an aluminium alloy and nodular cast iron have been developed. These materials are used in two industrial applications. The first one is used to transport granular material. It has been shown that damage of used truck's buckets is produced. However, the nodular cast iron is used in automobile industry thanks to its lower density, good wear resistance and its low friction coefficient. A scratch test was used and the wear mechanisms were observed for different attack angles. The normal load was also varied and correlation between wear mechanisms, tribological parameters and friction coefficient was highlighted.