In oscillating contact tests with a polyamide (Nylon 6,6) material against a sapphire optical flat, it was found that tribochemical changes of the polymer occurred at relatively low levels of frictional heat generation, i.e., 15 W. Surface temperatures were measured directly by means of an infrared microscope and reached 200 C for Nylon 6,6. Wear scars and transferred material to the sapphire flat were examined by the use of Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopy (FTIRM). It was found that under the operating conditions used, Nylon 6,6 undergoes a degradation process which yields two kinds of species. The base material on the wear scar is enriched in carbonyl groups while the transferred material and wear debris are enriched in amidelamme groups. A model for tribochemical degradation is proposed. The addition of 10 wt. % glass fibers to Nylon 6,6 reduced wear, friction, surface temperature, and extent of tribochemical degradation.Presented at the 48th Annual Meeting in Calgary, Alberta, Canada May 17–20, 1993