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[References: 19 tit.]

A polymer–polymer tribological pair made of antifriction ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and high-strength polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites was proposed and tested in various operating conditions (lubrication medium and dry friction at a deficit of synovial fluid in the joint). The selection of fillers for UHMWPE and PEEK was substantiated in steps proceeding from the data of systematic mechanical and tribological tests. The optimal composition of the composites, suggesting the possibility of manufacturing customized joint prosthetic implants using additive manufacturing technologies, is determined. It was shown that the PEEK (pin)-on-UHMWPE (disk) tribological pair is well compatible, characterized by a low coefficient of friction (f = 0.02), and zero wear found by optical microscopy observations. The friction of non-filled UHMWPE on PEEK reinforced with two types of carbon fibers (milled carbon fibers, 30 wt % and CNT, 2.5 wt %) is checked. It is shown that carbon nanotubes are efficient fillers for PEEK in the UHMWPE–PEEK tribological pair under dry sliding friction at a deficiency of synovial fluid.