Polymers were slid on rough hard steel surfaces with normal loads which caused full penetration (real and apparent areas equal) and partial penetration (real less than apparent area). Wear data for polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) was obtained on a pin-on-disk machine using neutron activation analysis A (NAA). Observations of the wear process were made in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) both before, during, and after the wear experiment. It was observed that these polymers along with Nylon 6-6 tend to wear in discrete sites rather than continuous films. At these discrete sites the polymer shears at an angle which is dependent on the mechanical properties of the polymer and on the asperity angle. There appears to be a minimum shear angle beyond which no wear occurs. / Ph. D.