Abstract: Rolling-sliding friction and wear behavior and effect of carbon content on rolling wear of wheel steel were investigated by a reciprocating rolling test apparatus on tesion-compression hydraulic machine with a high precision. Results showed that tangential force of rolling friction pair and morphology of worn surface were distinct under different rolling-sliding conditions. Tangential force of free-rolling is smallest and wear was very slight. Wear mechanism would be changed and depth of wear and plastic deformation of material would become severely with tangential friction force increasing under rollinig-silding conditions. Fatigue wear and delamination of wheel steel become distinctly with increasing slippage of rolling friction pair. Influence of carbon content on wear behavior and hardness of wheel steel was very obvious. Abrasion was dominated when carbon content was low and spalling may occur with carbon content increasing.