Friction and wear characteristics of polyamide 66 (PA66) and the composites of organoclay modified by styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene triblock copolymer grafted with 1.84 wt% of maleic anhydride (SEBS-g-MA) were studied using an Universal Micro Tribometer reciprocating friction and wear tester. The morphologies of the wear tracks of PA66 and the composites were observed using a scanning electron microscope. The results showed that plastic deformation induced by the traction of the harder steel ball occurred on the worn surfaces of PA66 and the composite which were reinforced by SEBS-g-MA copolymer. It was found that the average frictional coefficient and specific wear rate of PAWSEBS-g-MA binary composite are lowest under the same conditions. This indicates that toughness and wear resistance of PA66 matrix are improved with the incorporation of SEBS-g-MA copolymer. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 49:2454-2458, 2009. (C) 2009 Society of Plastics Engineers