A metal alloy article is provided with an improved fretting wear resistant coating combination for use in the temperature range of about 650.degree.-1100.degree. F. on an article contact surface shaped to cooperate with an abutting member. An example is a gas turbine engine blade base carried by an abutting support slot. The coating combination includes an inner portion of a Ni base alloy having a room temperature annealed yield strength of greater than about 30 ksi to less than about 57 ksi and densely deposited from a powder, for example by the high velocity oxygen--fuel thermal spray process rather than by other processes such as air plasma spray. Cured on the inner portion is an outer portion of graphite particles mixed in an inorganic binder capable of stable use in the range of about 650.degree.-1100.degree. F., for example silicates or phosphates, such as of aluminum.