The work aims to improve mechanical properties and tribological properties of copper-based brake materials. Graphene was added to the copper-based brake materials as reinforcing filler. The copper-based brake materials containing 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6% and 0.8% of graphene were prepared in powder metallurgy method, and mechanical properties as well as friction and wear properties of different samples were prepared. Graphene could significantly improve hardness and tensile strength of the materials. Both hardness and bending strength of samples containing graphene was higher than (46.4~54.2HB, 250~418 MPa) that of those without graphene (44.5HB, 218 MPa). The sample containing 0.4% of graphene had the highest hardness (54.2HB) and best bending strength (418 MPa). Density of the materials decreased as graphene content increased. Stability of friction coefficient increased and wear rate decreased at the graphene content of 0.2%~0.4%. The stability of the friction coefficient decreased and wear rate increased at the graphene content of 0.6%~0.8%. Compared with the sample without graphene (friction coefficient σ2=1.4×10-3, wear rate (0.42~0.82)×10-6 cm3/(N?m)), sample had the most stable friction coefficient σ2=0.3×10-3 and lowest wear rate (0.136~0.185)×10-6 cm3/(N?m) at the graphene content of 0.4% (mass fraction). Little graphene in the composite can significantly improve hardness and tensile strength of the materials at the content of 0.2%~0.4%. At the graphene content of 0.4%, the material has the best mechanical performance, the most stable coefficient of friction and lowest wear rate.