We investigated the composition and surface energy propertiesthe surface free energy, acid-base and dispersive components, acid and base parameters (according to the van Oss-Chaudhury-Good method) and acidity parameter (according to the Berger method) for several types of aromatic petroleum resins (PR). We could see that the Berger, nonlinear systems, and spatial methods provide slightly different information about the acid-base properties of PRs. For acid-base properties, relevant proton content was determined for each sample by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Correlations between the composition and surface characteristics of the studied aromatic PR have been revealed. According to the data obtained from the acid-base approach and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, we can predict the possible combinations of PR-polymer with the best interface interaction, which can lead to high mechanical properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 57:1028-1032, 2017. (c) 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers