Abstract: Understanding the friction, wear and lubrication of materials used in nuclear environments is important to build the third and fourth generation nuclear fission reactor, and also a critical factor to prove the feasibility of future advanced nuclear fusion reactor. Materials worked in mechanical component of reactor especially in the primary circuit not only suffer to cyclic stress, friction and wear, but also directly face high temperature, erosion and radiation harsh environments, in this review the friction and wear of structural materials, as well as the unique requirement of lubricants used in nuclear reactor were discussed, the progress and challenge in this research field were also summarized and proposed.