PURPOSE: To efficiently and inexpensively manufacture a metal fiber-reinforced metallic composite material excellent in wear resistance, toughness, and thermal conductivity, by composing a matrix metal and metal fiber in which surface layer alone is hardened by metal impregnation.

CONSTITUTION: The surface layer of a metal fiber of steel, etc., is subjected to metallic cementation by the impregnation of B, Cr, Si, etc., to undergo hardening. Subsequently, after preheating or without preheating, the metal fiber whose surface alone is hardened by metallic cementation is compounded with a matrix metal such as Al alloy, etc., by a pressure infiltration or hot pressing method. In this way, the metal fiber-reinforced metallic composite material having superior wear resistance, combining superior toughness with thermal conductivity, and excellent in the adhesive strength between the metal fiber and the matrix metal can be obtained.