A bench test set-up is employed to simulate the friction characteristics of a paper-based friction material operating against a steel plate. Dry friction tests are run as well as tests with transmission fluids. Glazed friction material produces a negative coefficient of friction versus sliding velocity (f-v) curve for both dry friction and lubrication with transmission fluids. At low sliding speeds, the coefficient of friction when operating in transmission fluids for glazed friction materials is greater than that under dry friction. An appreciable negative f-v slope occurs at low sliding speeds for glazed friction materials when running with the transmission fluid. The friction material after running in produces a constant f-v curve under dry friction and a negative slope when lubricated with transmission fluid. At low sliding speeds, the coefficient of friction of the run-in friction material is lower than that of the glazed wet material. On the other hand, the run-in friction material has a larger friction coefficient than does the glazed friction material at higher sliding speeds.