High friction force of NiP/SSP (Nickel-phosphorus/Sea shell particle) composite coating limits their use in low friction applications, hence to overcome this, nano ZnO is incorporated with different weight percentage. NiP with weight fraction (3.0 g/l) of (SSP) and various weight fractions (0.10 g/l, 0.25 g/l, 0.50 g/l, 0.75 g/l and 1.0 g/l) of nano ZnO particles were deposited on En8 steel using an alkaline electroless process. Friction – wear test was carried out on NiP/SSP/ZnO composite coatings and comparison was made with NiP and NiP/SSP composite coating using pin on disc apparatus. Wear track was characterized using SEM and non-contact surface profilometer. Hardness is measured using Vickers micro hardness tester. There is a decrease in the hardness of NiP/SSP/ZnO coating due to the incorporation of nano ZnO particles. Significant improvement in friction and wear resistance was observed for NiP/SSP/ZnO (0.25 g/l) coatings in contrast to NiP and NiP/SSP coating. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.