A novel fullerenestyrenemaleic anhydride copolymer is reported.TEM analyses shows it is water-soluble nanoball of average diameter of about 83nm.The tribological behavior is evaluated by fourball machine.It was found that addition of fullerene copolymer to base stock (2％triethanolamine aqueous solution)resulted in a raise in loadcarrying ability(F value)from 130 N to maximum 480 N,and a reduction in coefficient of friction from 0.235 to minimum 0.063.SEM analyses indicates that the wear scars obtained with fullerene copolymer exhibited mild scratches, while sharp grooving and serious pullout phenomnon were observed in the presence of base stock without additive .The improvements in friction,wear and loadcarrying capacity are probably due to the presence of fullerene copolymer nanoballs,which may act as molecule ball bearings,which in turn lead to elastic rolling lubrication.