Solid lubricants, that is, graphite flakes and poly(tetrafluoroethylene) powders, were incorporated with short carbon fibers into a poly(ether imide) matrix to improve the tribological performance. Wear tests were performed with a polymer pin against a mild steel counterpart at a constant sliding speed of 1 m/s under various temperatures and contact pressures. Composites filled with equilibrium contents of solid lubricants and short carbon fibers, that is, 10 vol % of each filler, exhibited the lowest wear rate and friction coefficient. The relatively lower concentration of solid lubricants adversely affected the wear resistance, whereas the friction coefficient did not vary significantly in comparison with the friction coefficient of the composites filled with only short carbon fibers. The improved tribological behavior was attributed to more continuous and effective friction films formed on the material pairs during sliding. (C) 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.