A self-lubricated array film of amorphous carbon nanorods was prepared by chemical catalytic pyrolysis of acetylene on the anodic aluminum oxide membrane fabricated by two-step anodization of aluminum. The tribological properties of the array film of amorphous carbon nanorods in ambient air were investigated using a ball-on-disk tester at applied loads range from 245 mN to 1960 mN at a sliding velocity of 0.2 m/s. The self-lubricated array film exhibited a small value of the friction coefficient as well as good wear resistance. The friction coefficient of array film of amorphous carbon nanorods decreased gradually with increasing the applied load. The approach proposed demonstrated a new efficient route towards enhanced the friction and wear performances of aluminum. A self-lubricated array film of amorphous carbon nanorods was prepared by chemical catalytic pyrolysis of acetylene on the anodic aluminum oxide membrane fabricated by two-step anodization of aluminum. The tribological properties of the array film of amorphous carbon nanorods in ambient air were investigated using a ball-on-disk tester at applied loads range from 245 mN to 1960 mN at a sliding velocity of 0.2 m / s. The self-lubricated array film exhibited a small value of the friction coefficient as well as good wear resistance. The friction coefficient of array film of amorphous carbon nanorods decreased gradually with increasing the applied load. The approach proposed demonstrated a new efficient route towards enhanced the friction and wear performances of aluminum.