Abstract: This composite material includes reinforcing alumina-silica fiber material in a metal matrix. The alumina-silica reinforcing fibers have principal components about 35% to about 65% by weight of SiO.sub.2, about 35% to about 65% by weight of Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, and a content of other substances of less than or equal to about 10% by weight, with the weight percentage of the mullite crystalline form therein being at least about 15%, and with the weight percentage of included non fibrous particles with diameter greater than or equal to 150 microns being not more than about 5%. And the matrix metal is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, copper, zinc, lead, tin, and alloys having these as principal components. The volume proportion of the alumina-silica fibers should be at least 0.5%. Within these constraints, the qualities of the composite material with regard to wear, and wear on a mating member, and hardness, bending strength, and tensile strength, are good.