paper deals with modification of rubber (BR, SBR, IR, EPDM, NBR) paying special attention to surface phenomena and tribological properties of the material. The data on chemical and physical treatments, carried out both in bulk as well as on the surface of rubber are presented. The results obtained are interpreted taking into consideration hysteretical and adhesional components of the friction force. The most promising methods described are sulfonation and iodination with NBR, blending of EPDM with LDPE and mechanical interlocking of a solid lubricant, e,g, MoS2 in the surface layer of rubber. Application of above methods significantly reduces the coefficient of friction and improves the engineering performance of rubber.