Polymers as friction pair materials have broad application prospects in water-related engineering equipment.However,polymer materials have inherent defects such as low strength,creep,aging,and water absorption compared to metal materials.And it is difficult to form a complete lubricating water film under low-speed and heavy-load conditions,resulting in severe wear and vibration.In addition,the complex and diverse friction environments faced by water-related engineering equipment sports pairs greatly limit the application of polymer materials as friction pair components in water-related engineering equipment.The main tribological issues and challenges polymer materials face in extreme water environments were analyzed.Starting from four aspects,the irradiation and plasma surface modification technology,the filler blending composite modification technology,the textured surface control technology,and the functional water lubrication surface control technology,the current domestic and foreign research progress on modification technology of polymer friction pair materials for water-related engineering equipment was reviewed.The preparation technology and tribological research direction of polymer friction pair materials for water-related engineering equipment were summarized and prospected.