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In this study, NiAl bronze (NAB) alloys are processed using an ultrasonic vibration-assisted milling (UVAM) surface engineering technique. The strengthening mechanisms at different cutting speeds are analysed through well-established models and experiments. The increase in cutting speed produced decrements of 29.5%, 26.6%, and 5.6% in the friction torques, accumulated dissipated energy, and worn surface area, respectively. The microhardness gradually increased by 11%, which helped improve the fretting wear performance. Grain refinement, precipitation, and dislocation strengthening were the main mechanisms. Grain refinement (∆ σ HP) had the greatest contribution to performance, followed by precipitation (∆ σ or) and dislocation (∆ σ d). Nanotwin strengthening was observed at a cutting speed of 150 m/min. Martensite nanotwins may nucleate at the grain boundary and grow toward the grain interior. [Display omitted] • The increase of cutting speed leads to beneficial effects on their fretting behavior including friction torques, accumulated dissipated energy and worn surface area for 29.5%, 26.6% and 5.6%, respectively. • The refinement of the κ phases and the effects of dislocations and stacking faults help increase the hardness and mechanisms were analysed. • The formation of martensite phases in UVAM6000 was attributed to severe plastic deformation and the special 3R martensitic structures of NAB alloys. Specifically, martensite nanotwins may nucleate at the grain boundary and then grew toward the interior of grains. • Grain refinement, precipitate, and dislocation strengthening were the main mechanisms for all samples and its contributions were calculated through well-established models and experiment data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]