Through comparing and analyzing the materials loss characteristics under pure corrosion, pure wear and corrosion-wear conditions, the corrosion-wear behavior and synergy mechanism between corrosion and wear of Ti3AlC2-Al2O3/TiAl3 composite in molten aluminum were investigated. The results show that the loss of corrosion-wear of Ti3AlC2-Al2O3/TiAl3 composite is two orders of magnitude lower than that of H13 steel. With the increase of load and speed, the wear of Ti3AlC2-Al2O3/TiAl3 composite changes from abrasive wear to adhesive wear. The synergy ratio of corrosion-wear is less than 47.5% in the experiments. Under the condition of low load or low velocity, the Ti3AlC2-Al2O3/TiAl3 composite even exhibits negative synergy. This is partly due to no intermetallic compound formed in the interface, but just a little Ti dissolved into the molten aluminum when the Ti3AlC2-Al2O3/TiAl3 composite corroded in Al melt. On the other hand, the interpenetrating structure of TiAl3 matrix and Al2O3 reinforcement improves the wear resistance of Ti3AlC2-Al2O3/TiAl3 composite in molten aluminum. © 2020, Editorial Office of Acta Materiae Compositae Sinica. All right reserved.