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The idea is expressed that studying the phenomena occurring during friction of a polymer-metal pair at superlow speeds might give interesting results which would confirm the hypothesis of oxidative wear. The authors based this proposal on the following considerations: relaxation processes occur continuously on the friction surface of a polymer specimen. Owing to the discrete nature of the contact these processes are reduced and attenuated in certain segments and arise and develop in others. The mechanical destruction of macromolecules and the consequent oxidative wear of the adjacent metallic part occur both as the result of direct mechanical deformation of the macromolecule (shearing, breaking) and because of fatigue phenomena. It is evident that the frequency and magnitude of the relaxation processes on the polymer friction surface, and also the scale of direct mechanical destruction, will depend on the slip speed. (Author)