Abstract In mining industry and metallurgy, several wearing parts are subjected to the combined effect of abrasive wear and mechanical shocks that requires materials characterized by high hardness in surface and a better toughness in volume. In this present study, martensitic steel reinforced Zirconium oxides as ceramics inserts is manufactured and characterized. Using ASTM G65 abrasive wear test apparatus, abrasive wear tests of the manufactured steel and of other materials most currently used in mechanical industry for comparison were conducted and wear surfaces were also characterized. It was shown that the manufactured steel allows improving wear resistance by approximately 44 %.