In this study, the abrasive wear behavior of Fe₃Al, TiAl, Ti₃Al, Al₃Ti, NiAl, Ni₃Al and MoSi₂, and composites based on these compounds, were assessed and compared to the behavior of selected metals, alloys and ceramics. Under the wear conditions used for these tests, the softer intermetallic compounds (e.g. TiAl and Fe₃Al) behaved in a manner similar to the metals and alloys, whereas, the harder intermetallic compound (i.e. MoSi₂) behaved more like a ceramic. The influence of Al atomic fraction, superlattice structure and ternary alloying additions on the wear behavior of Fe₃Al was investigated. Controlling the Al content and third element additions affected wear resistance more than superlattice structure. Composite strengthening was also explored as a method for improving wear resistance. The addition of hard second phase particles (i.e. TiB₂ to NiAl and SiC to MoSi₂) was also very effective improving wear resistance. Surprisingly, the addition of softer Nb particles did not significantly degrade the wear resistance of a MoSi₂ matrix, even at Nb additions of 40%.