The friction and wear characteristics of ZnO- or montmorillonite-nanoparticle-filled Kevlar fabric composites with different filter proportions when sliding against stainless steel pins under dry friction conditions' were studied, with unfilled Kevlar fabric composites used as references. The worn surface and transfer film, of Kevlar fabric composites were then examined with a scanning electron microscope. It was found that ZnO and montmorillonite as fillers could improve the tribological behavior of the Kevlar fabric composites with various applied loads, and the best antiwear property was obtained with the composites containing 5 wt % ZnO or montmorillonite. This indicated that these nanoparticles could prevent the destruction of Kevlar fabric composites during the friction process. The transfer film established by these nanoparticles during the sliding wear of the composites against their metallic counterpart made contributions to reducing the friction coefficient and wear rate of the Kevlar fabric composites measured in the test. (c) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 111: 2419-2425, 2009