<p>With the widespread application of titanium alloys in aerospace, it is crucial to study their friction and wear behavior in low-temperature environments. This paper systematically investigates the friction and wear performance of Ti-6Al-4V (TC4) alloy and the changes in worn surfaces by conducting ball-on-flat reciprocating friction tests at various temperatures using Si₃N₄, GCr15, and TC4 balls. The wear track morphology and wear volume on the TC4 alloy surface differ significantly with the ball material, with the primary wear mechanisms being abrasive wear and adhesive wear, accompanied by phenomena such as spalling and oxidation. As the temperature decreases, the friction coefficient, wear rate, and weight loss of the TC4 alloy all show a downward trend, with particularly notable improvements at − 30°C, demonstrating superior wear resistance compared to room temperature. In low-temperature environments, wear debris is flattened to form a protective layer, effectively reducing direct wear of the matrix by hard materials. Additionally, at low temperatures, microcracks are more likely to form on the worn surface, gradually expanding and spalling under shear force, ultimately leading to a reduction in abrasive and adhesive wear, indicating a transition to a wear mechanism primarily dominated by spalling.</p>