In the present work, the effect of Al content (0, 3, 5, 10, 15 wt-%) on the microstructure, mechanical and wear properties of Cu was systematically studied. Interestingly, the coreshell microstructure was observed in the Cu-Al alloys or Al bronzes with different layers of α-Cu, and intermetallic phases. The Cu-Al alloys displayed good compressive yield strength of 174-653 MPa, in particular, the Cu samples with Al (upto 10 wt-%) did not show fracture upto strain of 40%. Abrasion wear was the predominant wear mechanism in pure Cu and Cu-Al alloys after sliding against SiC. The Al addition to Cu drastically decreased the wear rate (198 ×10 −3 to 3.8 ×10 −3 mm 3 N -1 m -1 ) of Cu-Al alloys. The present work demonstrates the advantage of the addition of (5-10 wt-%) Al to Cu in achieving good combination of mechanical and wear properties of Cu-Al alloys.