Three composite bronzes reinforced with steel dendrites from steels of different classes, which perform the function of a bearing surface in sliding friction, are studied. The chemical compositions of the dendrites and of the matrix are determined as a function of the heat treatment of bronze BrZhNOA 12-7-2-1. The fine structure of dendrites in bronze BrZhNKoA 9-4-1-1 is studied and the effect of the aging temperature in the intermetallic reinforcement of the dendrite with composition corresponding to maraging steel N23Yu1 is determined. The type of the crystal lattice of the dendrite is shown to affect substantially the tribological properties of bronze BrZhNKhA 12-9-3-1.