Abstract: ZrO₂ particle-reinforced copper-based friction materials were prepared by powder metallurgy (PM), and the effects of ZrO₂ contents on microstructure and properties of the materials were studied. The microstructure, density, porosity, hardness and friction and wear properties of the materials were characterized. The results show that the phase composition and distribution state of the copper base friction material are not changed significantly before and after the addition of ZrO₂ particles, and the ZrO₂ particles are evenly distributed in the matrix without agglomeration phenomenon. With the increase of ZrO₂ content, the density of the material decreases, the porosity increases, and the hardness tends to increase and then decrease. Under the test conditions of braking pressure of 1 MPa and rotation speed of 5 200 r/min, the friction factor and wear rate of the material decreases first and then increases with the increase of ZrO₂ content, and when the ZrO₂ addition reaches 8%, the friction and wear performance of the material reaches the best, the friction factor is 0.29, and the wear rate reaches the minimum value of 0.24 cm³/MJ.