A porous anodic film on aluminum was prepared in a mixed electrolyte of phosphoric acid and organic acid and cerium salt, and ultrasonic impregnation technology was applied on it to form self-lubricating surface composite. The structure and chemical composition of the film and its lubricity after self-lubricating treatment were investigated in detail. EPMA indicates the cross-section of anodized film has two distinct oxide layers. Al, 0 and P are found in the film with different distribution in the two layers. XPS analysis on the electron binding energy of the component elements show the chemical composition of film surface are Al2O3, Ce(OH) and some phosphates. The structure of anodized film is amorphous with XRD analysis. The tribological tests shows the frictional coefficient of the self-lubricating surface composite coating is 0.25, much lower than anodized aluminum and aluminum substrate, which is about 0.55 and 0.85, respectively, and it is also durable for a long period of time in comparison with the lubricating coating fabricated by hot-dipping method. SEM images show some PTFE particles are added into the nanoholes of anodic oxide film. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.