The frequent impact of exhaust valve of internal combustion engines involves micro-sliding under the conditions of high and varying temperatures in presence of complex exhaust gas chemistry and particulates. Hence, it is imperative that exhaust valves should withstand higher temperature ranges and thermal stresses, and resist corrosion. The study aims to understand the wear mechanism of exhaust valves by studying tribological behaviour of 23-8N valve steel against GGG-60 cast iron (valve seat) counter-face and the effect of creation of protective tribo-films on the wear rate.