Abstract The positive effect of plasma electrolytic treatment on CrWMn tool steel to increase the wear resistance of its surface is shown. The effect of plasma electrolytic nitriding and subsequent polishing on the structure, phase and elemental composition, microhardness of the surface layer, and surface morphology is established. Steel nitriding leads to the formation of a modified surface layer including Fe 2–3N iron nitride and nitrogen martensite, below which hardening martensite is formed, reaching a microhardness value of 1200 HV. Subsequent polishing leads to a decrease in surface roughness by 42–68%. Tribological tests were carried out according to the shaft-bushing scheme. A decrease in the friction coefficient and weight wear of up to 2.6 and 30.1 times, respectively, is shown. The formed structure of the surface layer compensates for the effect of the counter body and determines the destruction of friction bonds by plastic displacement. The wear mechanism has been established and is defined as fatigue wear under dry friction and plastic contact. Keywords: tool steel; plasma electrolytic treatment; nitriding; polishing; microhardness; surface roughness; friction coefficient; wear