Ultrafine-grained Al-CNT (2 and 4 vol%) composites were successfully fabricated using the flake powder metallurgy and hot pressing route, and the microstructure and tribological properties of the produced composites were studied. The results showed that the coefficient of friction and the wear rate of Al decrease with the addition of the CNT reinforcement. A carbon-rich film was formed on the worn surfaces during wear test, which prevented the Al oxidation and yielded the self-lubricating effect for the composites. This improvement in the wear behavior of the composites can be attributed to the simultaneous effects of the ultrafine-grained matrix and strengthening and self-lubricating properties of the uniformly dispersed and undamaged CNT in the flake powder metallurgy method. Display omitted •Self-lubricating Al-CNT composites were fabricated by flake powder metallurgy.•Homogenously dispersed and undamaged CNTs were introduced to Al matrix.•CNTs play a major role in improving wear properties by forming a CNT-rich film.•Al-4 vol% CNT composite exhibited the lowest wear and friction.•The theoretical friction coefficient of the composites was calculated.