The hardness, impact toughness and wear resistance properties of Fe-TiC composites, synthesized by aluminothermic reduction of an industrial waste, have been evaluated. The wear resistance property of the composites has been compared with some standard wear resistant materials. It has been found that the wear resistance property of the Fe-TiC composites with mostly pearlitic, fully pearlitic and pearlitic plus cementite type matrix with about 7 to 8 vol% TiC is better than that of a standard high chromium iron. The wear resistance property of ferritic and mostly ferritic type matrix with about 5 vol% TiC is better than that of a standard bearing steel. (C) 2004 Kluwer Academic Publishers.