Abstract: The thermal stability and friction and wear properties of two typical polymer based solid self-lubricating materials, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and polyimide (PI), were tested. The friction surface morphology after test was observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the characteristic elements on the friction surface after test were analyzed by X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the two polymer based solid self-lubricating materials both have good thermal stability, and the lubricating properties and friction and wear resistance of the PTFE-based solid self-lubricating material are better than those of the PI-based solid self-lubricating material.