Abstract: Influence of friction heat to UHMWPE/steel friction couple was studied by controlling condition of heat dissipation in pin-on-disc tester.Application of statistical correlation coefficient to describe quantitatively the correlation between friction coefficient and surface temperature indicates that poor heat dissipation tended to increase correlation coefficient of friction coefficient and surface temperature.Peak values from Taylor Hobson's 3D measurement of surface topography of UHMWPE before testing were used for forming cellular automaton grid to simulate and calculate distribution of friction surface temperature.Results suggest that:(i) condition of friction heat dissipation seriously affects tribological characteristics of UHMWPE;(ii) generation of frictional heat is likely to rise the temperature of some local contact points beyond their melting point;(iii) accumulation of friction heat changes adhesion wear to "molten and shearing" wear;and(iv) friction heat effect to tribological properties of polymers must be specifically considered in both experiments and practical applications.