In the work, the patterns of friction and wear of forsterite-based coatings were studied, and their structural-phase composition, conditions of formation and self-regulation of surface structures were determined from the standpoint of the structural-energy theory of friction. Detonation coatings developed on the basis of forsterite are characterized by high anti-friction properties. The conducted studies showed that the most appropriate application of the investigated coatings is to increase the reliability of operation of friction nodes during strengthening and restoration, for example, for moving pairs of control mechanisms, hinges of guide surfaces, cams, sliding supports, pairs with reciprocating movement, bearings, sliding guides, etc. in which the use of traditional lubricants is undesirable. Compounds of complex oxides of magnesium orthosilicate were used as the basis of composite coatings. The structural and phase composition of the coatings, the peculiarities of the formation of complex alloyed secondary structures, taking into account both the properties of the alloying elements and the structures formed by them, were established. The physical mechanism was determined and the main factors determining the level of thermodynamic graphitization were clarified. The studied self-lubricating compositions can be used both for strengthening and for high-quality restoration of worn triboelements by any technological methods using powder materials.